Published online Nov 28, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i44.12729
Peer-review started: May 22, 2015
First decision: June 2, 2015
Revised: June 23, 2015
Accepted: August 30, 2015
Article in press: August 31, 2015
Published online: November 28, 2015
Hepatic artery thrombosis is a serious complication after liver transplantation which often results in biliary complications, early graft loss, and patient death. It is generally thought that early hepatic artery thrombosis without urgent re-vascularization or re-transplantation almost always leads to mortality, especially if the hepatic artery thrombosis occurs within a few days after transplantation. This series presents 3 cases of early hepatic artery thrombosis after living donor liver transplantation, in which surgical or endovascular attempts at arterial re-vascularization failed. Unexpectedly, these 3 patients survived with acceptable graft function after 32 mo, 11 mo, and 4 mo follow-up, respectively. The literatures on factors affecting this devastating complication were reviewed from an anatomical perspective. The collective evidence from survivors indicated that modified nonsurgical management after liver transplantation with failed revascularization may be sufficient to prevent mortality from early hepatic artery occlusion. Re-transplantation may be reserved for selected patients with unrecovered graft function.
Core tip: We present 3 cases of early hepatic artery thrombosis after living donor liver transplantation, in which surgical or endovascular attempts at arterial re-vascularization failed. Unexpectedly, these 3 patients survived with acceptable graft function after 32 mo, 11 mo, and 4 mo follow-up, respectively. The literatures on factors affecting this devastating complication were reviewed from an anatomical perspective. Our three cases raise the possibility that a modified nonsurgical management strategy may be sufficient for recovery from early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation with failed revascularization procedures.