Management and Outcomes of Aneurysms Found in Deceased Donor Livers: A Review of Published Cases

Abstract

Introduction. The organ shortage has prompted transplant surgeons to accept grafts from deceased donors, which can lead to complex reconstructions. The presence of an aneurysm can complicate the arterial anastomosis of the liver transplant, leading to postoperative vascular complications such as hepatic artery thrombosis or stenosis.Objective: review published cases of donor liver aneurysms and their management.Materials and methods. After an exhaustive literature search, only 4 published cases of liver transplants from grafts with aneurysms in their vascular territory have been found.Results. These vascular anomalies were corrected by vascular reconstructions and no postoperative arterial complications were observed.Conclusion. Although no particular arterial configuration precludes the use of a donor liver for transplant, more arterial complications can be anticipated with complex arterial reconstructions. However, properly managed arterial anomalies do not necessarily compromise graft outcome. Therefore, our review of the literature shows the possibility of using these organs for liver transplantation, which would otherwise be discarded.

Keywords

• liver transplantation
• hepatic aneurysm
• extended criteria donor
• vascular abnormalities.