Celiac trunk compression by arcuate ligament and living-related liver transplantation: a two-step strategy for flow-induced enlargement of donor hepatic artery

Surg Radiol Anat. 2002 Dec;24(5):327-31. doi: 10.1007/s00276-002-0073-y. Epub 2002 Nov 1.

Abstract

The median arcuate ligament is a tendinous arch joining the two medial borders of the diaphragm crura together. In 10-50% of subjects it is responsible for significant angiographic celiac trunk compression. In severe cases, a decrease in hepatic arterial blood flow with subsequent artery caliber reduction and reverse vascularization via the gastroduodenal artery is present. In liver transplantation, small-caliber hepatic arteries are higher risk factors for hepatic arterial thrombosis and frequent graft loss. We report a case of celiac trunk compression in a living-related donor and the two-step strategy we developed to perform a safer liver transplantation via flow-induced enlargement of the donor hepatic artery. A 29-year-old father was selected as a living-related liver donor for his 4-year-old daughter. Angiography revealed celiac trunk compression by the median arcuate ligament with reverse vascularization of the middle hepatic artery via the gastroduodenal artery, a proper hepatic artery 2 mm in diameter irrigating the left lateral segment exclusively, and a right hepatic artery irrigating the right lobe and segment 4. First-step division of the median arcuate ligament and gastroduodenal artery ligation were performed. Repeat angiography at the third week showed a 50% enlargement of the middle hepatic artery (3 mm). Second-step left lobectomy was performed at the fifth week. The transplantation was achieved with an arterial anastomosis between the middle hepatic arteries of donor and recipient. This two-step strategy including median arcuate ligament division provided flow-induced enlargement of the donor middle hepatic artery for a safer transplantation with arteries of more suitable calibers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteries / surgery
  • Celiac Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Celiac Artery / pathology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Constriction, Pathologic
  • Duodenum / blood supply
  • Female
  • Hepatic Artery / transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Ligaments / pathology
  • Ligaments / surgery
  • Ligation
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Living Donors*
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Stomach / blood supply