Correlation of portal vein flow in living donor right lobe liver transplantation and graft function post-operation studies by intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography

Objective To discuss the liver function recovery affected by the portal vein flow in patients who underwent adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation using the right lobe. Methods Seventy-four donors and recipients were included in this study. Intraoperative Doppler ultrasound (IOUS)were performed before splitting the donor liver and 1 hour after the graft reperfusion. The diameter and velocity of portal vein were measured and recorded for calculation of portal vein flow(PVF). Liver function tests were undertaken at the day 2nd,7th, 15th and 30th postoperative,respectively. Results One hour after reperfusion of 74 grafts,the PVF were significantly increased (2. 84 ± 0. 93) fold. Seventy-four grafts were divided into 4 groups according to the different degrees of the increase of PVF. The levels of blood bilirubin total(TBIL) among 4 groups were differently at the day 2nd,7th, 15th and 30th postoperative. High PVF contributed to recipient's prolonged hyperbilirubinemia ( P ＜0. 001 ). The levels of ALT, AST among 4 groups were differently at the day 7th, 15th and 30th postoperative( P ＜0. 001). Conclusions Detection of portal vein hemodynamics in living donor liver transplantation by IOUS may assist surgeon to anticipate the graft's function and take surgical therapies to secure the graft and the recipient. Key words: Ultrasonography; Liver transplantation; Portal vein; Liver function tests