Cryopreserved arterial grafts as a conduit in outflow reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation

Background Few reports have addressed the use of cryopreserved arterial grafts (CAG) for anterior section drainage in right lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL LDLT), and the impact of atherosclerosis on patency rate (PR) is not well studied. Also, those reports have limited case numbers. The aim of the present study is to report the largest experience with CAG in outflow reconstruction in RL LDLT and the impact of atherosclerosis on its patency. Methods During 2010 and 2011, 62 of 243 patients who underwent LDLT received outflow reconstruction with CAG for RL grafts. Atherosclerosis in CAG was classified into early, intermediate and advanced lesions according to the classification adopted by the American Heart Association: group 1 with grafts having no atherosclerosis or early lesions; and group 2 with grafts having intermediate and advanced lesions. Patency rates of CAG correlated with atherosclerotic change of CAG were retrospectively analyzed. Results The study group comprised 65 CAGs with 1, 3 and 6 months PR of 86.2%, 84.6% and 75.2% respectively. Histopathological examination was successful in 53 CAGs. The 1, 3 and 6 months PR of group with no/early atherosclerosis were 86%, 83.7% and 76.7%, respectively, while for groups with intermediate/advanced lesions they were 90%. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.384). Conclusions Cryopreserved arterial grafts can be used for outflow reconstruction in RL LDLT with a good patency rate. Atherosclerosis appears to have minimal effect on CAG patency, yet further studies with larger cohorts are needed to support our results.