Use of cadaveric superior mesenteric artery as interpositional vascular graft in orthotopic liver transplantation

Background: Hepatic artery thrombosis remains the most common technical complication that causes graft failure following orthotopic liver transplantation. The development of split liver and living related liver transplantation has led to the use of shorter and smaller arteries for arterial reconstruction to the graft. The present aim was to assess the effectiveness of the superior mesenteric artery as an interpositional graft in arterial reconstruction during liver transplantation. Methods: Cadaveric superior mesenteric artery was used to reconstruct small and short or multiple hepatic arteries in 35 liver transplants including 29 split, three living related, two whole liver transplants and one emergency revascularization post-transplantation. Results and conclusion: A low incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (one of 35 patients) was achieved utilizing cadaveric superior mesenteric artery as an interpositional vascular graft in liver transplantation.