Using IV-Tubing "Bridge" from Splenic Artery to Superior Mesentery Artery to Create a Single Arterial Cannulation for...

BACKGROUND The presence of anatomical variations of the hepatic artery poses a challenge for normothermic machine perfusion (NMP). Here, we describe our experience of creating a single arterial cannulation for NMP in 3 donor livers with replaced right hepatic artery. CASE REPORT Three donor livers with replaced right hepatic artery were perfused using NMP (OrganOx® metra®) for liver transplantation. To maintain hepatic artery integrity and establish an intact arterial vascular inflow for NMP, a single vasculature was created to allow single arterial cannulation for NMP. A piece of intravenous-line tubing was used as a bridge from the splenic artery to the superior mesenteric artery during the back-table preparation. After 1 h of NMP, the lactate of 2 livers decreased from >10.0 to about 1.0 mmol/L, and the lactate of 1 liver decreased from >4.0 to <0.4 mmol/L. Three livers made >100 mL of bile after 4 h of NMP and were successfully implanted after >10 h of NMP. The recipients spent 2, 3, and 4 days in the Intensive Care Unit and were discharged home at 6, 7, and 9 days, respectively. None of the patients experienced early allograft dysfunction or any early technical complication or non-anastomotic biliary stricture. CONCLUSIONS Creating an intravenous-line tubing bridge from the splenic artery to the superior mesenteric artery prior to NMP of liver grafts associated with replaced right hepatic artery could reduce the cold ischemia time associated with vessel reconstruction and reduce bleeding risk during NMP. This is feasible, safe, and effective.