Results of end-to-end cavocavostomy during adult liver transplantation

World J Surg. 2002 Mar;26(3):342-7. doi: 10.1007/s00268-001-0230-1. Epub 2002 Jan 15.

Abstract

The results of end-to-end cavocavostomy during adult liver transplantation were analyzed with special regard to caval complications. In a series of 1000 liver transplants, we observed 17 patients who suffered from postoperative caval obstruction (6 patients) or caval stenosis (11 patients), for an incidence of 1.7%. Surgical therapy was performed in 10 patients (58.8%), and 5 patients required retransplantation (29.4%). Four patients died during the later postoperative course. Two fatalities were related to caval complications, resulting in a mortality rate of 11.8%. Our results indicate that end-to-end cavocavostomy is a safe technique for cavocaval anastomosis. For only a few exceptions, such as pediatric transplantation, reduced size livers, or size mismatch between donor and recipient, should alternative techniques such as end-to-side or side-to-side cavocavostomy be performed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anastomosis, Surgical / adverse effects*
  • Anastomosis, Surgical / mortality*
  • Constriction, Pathologic / diagnosis
  • Constriction, Pathologic / etiology
  • Constriction, Pathologic / mortality
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis
  • Liver Diseases / mortality*
  • Liver Diseases / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Liver Transplantation / mortality*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Radiography
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / pathology*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / surgery*
  • Venous Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Venous Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Venous Insufficiency / mortality*