Abstract
We compared early results of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in adults using the classic versus piggyback technique of inferior vena cava anastomosis. We analyzed 100 consecutive patients who underwent OLT from 2000 to 2003. Group A included 50 patients operated with the classic technique with venovenous extracorporeal bypass, and group B, 50 patients with the piggyback technique. The age range of the patients in group A was 21 to 63 years (mean, 43.5 years) and in group B, 20 to 65 years (mean, 46 years). The gender F/M distribution in group A was 24/26 and in group B, 28/22. The indications for OLT were acute hepatic failure (8%), chronic liver insufficiency (77%), liver tumors (8%), metabolic diseases (5%), and Budd-Chiari syndrome (2%). The degrees of liver insufficiency evaluated according to the Child classification were A, 18; B, 52; and C, 30 patients. The urgency for OLT on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) scale was UNOS 1-group A, 2 patients; group B, 7 patients; UNOS 2a-group A, 7 patients; group B, 6 patients; UNOS 2b-group A, 29 patients; group B, 30 patients; UNOS 3-group A, 12 patients; group B, 7 patients. The average cold ischemia time in group A was 530 minutes and in group B, 515 minutes. Th...Continue Reading