[Selection of four surgical techniques in orthotopic liver transplantation].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the advantages and disadvantages of four surgical techniques in orthotopic liver transplantation.

METHODS

A total of 135 adult recipients receiving cadaveric whole liver grafts were divided into four groups according to the surgeries they received: group A (n=22) underwent classic orthotopic liver transplantation, group B (n=79) underwent modified piggyback liver transplantation, group C (n=18) underwent classical piggyback liver transplantation, and group D (n=16) underwent modified classic orthotopic liver transplantation. The clinical data of these recipients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The operation time, anhepatic time, and intra-operation bleeding volume among these four groups were significantly different (P < 0.05). The incidence of transient renal damage in group C was significantly lower than that in other groups (P < 0.05), while the complication rates and survival rates were not significantly different in the early stage after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery techniques should be carefully selected based on the individual patients's pre-operative condition. The modified classic orthotopic liver transplantation is a preferred technique for tumor patients or patients with surgical history of upper abdomen.