AIM:To evaluate the vessel grafts(VG) used to reconstruct the middle hepatic vein(MHV) tributaries with ultrasonography.METHODS:Twenty-four patients undergone living donor liver transplantation were enrolled in our study.MHV tributaries larger than 5 mm in diameter were reconstructed with interposition VG.Blood flow of the graft and interposition VG was checked by Doppler ultrasonography daily in the f irst 2 postoperative weeks and monthly followed up after discharge.The sensitivity of VG detected by ultrasonography was assessed using surgical records as references.Student's t test was used to compare the velocity of VG and occluded VG in chronic patents(> 3 mo).RESULTS:Thirty-one VG were used to reconstruct the MHV tributaries.Ultrasonography identif ied 96.7%(30/31) of large MHV tributaries and 90.3%(28/31) of VG.The diameter of VG was 5.6 ± 0.8 mm and the velocity of VG was 19.7 ± 8.1 cm/s.Two VG(2/31, 6.5%) were occluded on the f irst postoperative day in one patient who suffered from persistent ascites and had a prolonged recovery of liver function.Twenty-six VG(26/31, 83.9%) were patent 2 wk after operation.Six(6/31, 19.4%) VG were patent over 3 mo after operation.Intrahepatic venous collaterals were detected in 29.2%(7/24) patients.The velocity of VG andoccluded VG was 30.1 ± 5.6 cm/s, 16.5 ± 5.8 cm/s, respectively, in chronic patents.The difference between two groups was statistically signif icant(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that most VG are patent in the flrst postoperative week while only a small portion with a higher velocity remains patent after 3 mo.Intrahepatic venous collaterals can be observed in some patients after occlusion of VG.
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