Brief Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2010; 16(31): 3979-3983
Published online Aug 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i31.3979
Living donor liver transplantation using dual grafts: Ultrasonographic evaluation
Qiang Lu, Hong Wu, Lv-Nan Yan, Zhe-Yu Chen, Yu-Ting Fan, Yan Luo
Qiang Lu, Yu-Ting Fan, Yan Luo, Department of Sonography, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Hong Wu, Lv-Nan Yan, Zhe-Yu Chen, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Lu Q and Luo Y designed the research and did the ultrasound examination; Wu H, Yan LN and Chen ZY performed the surgeries; Fan YT and Lu Q collected the data; Lu Q and Luo Y drafted, revised and finalized the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Yan Luo, MD, Department of Sonography, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. luoyand@gmail.com
Telephone: +86-28-85422304 Fax: +86-28-85423192
Received: April 12, 2010
Revised: May 27, 2010
Accepted: June 3, 2010
Published online: August 21, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the dual-graft living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with ultrasonography, with special emphasis on the postoperative complications.

METHODS: From January 2002 to August 2007, 110 adult-to-adult LDLTs were performed in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Among them, dual-graft implantations were performed in six patients. Sonographic findings of the patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: All the six recipients survived the dual-graft adult-to-adult LDLT surgery. All had pleural effusion. Four patients had episodes of postoperative abdominal complications, including fluid collection between the grafts in three patients, intrahepatic biliary dilatation in two, hepatofugal portal flow of the left lobe in two, and atrophy of the left lobe in one.

CONCLUSION: Although dual-graft LDLT takes more efforts and is technically complicated, it is safely feasible. Postoperative sonographic monitoring of the recipient is important.

Keywords: Liver transplantation; Dual grafts; Complications; Ultrasonography