Intraoperative Endovascular Treatment Via the Ligamentum Teres Hepatis in Liver Transplantation for Yerdel Grade Ⅲ/IV Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Safe and Effective Strategy

Intraoperative Endovascular Treatment Via the Ligamentum Teres Hepatis in Liver Transplantation for Yerdel Grade Ⅲ/IV Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Safe and Effective Strategy

Background: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative endovascular treatment (EVT) using the donor ligamentum teres hepatis (LTH) approach for Yerdel grade III/IV portal vein thrombosis (PVT) during liver transplantation (LT), a condition that poses a major challenge in complex surgeries.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included some patients with grade III/IV PVT who underwent LT and were divided into two periods: in both periods, patients underwent modified eversion thrombectomy. However, in Period 1 (2016-2019), nonanatomical anastomosis was performed if portal flow was insufficient, and in Period 2 (2019-2024), patients with persistent hypoperfusion underwent additional LTH-based EVT (stenting or shunt occlusion). Perioperative outcomes (operative time, anhepatic phase, and anastomosis type) and long-term outcomes (graft survival and complication rates) were compared between groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients (aged ≥18 years).
• Patients underwent deceased-donor liver transplantation.
• At Tianjin First Central Hospital between February 2016 and December 2024.
• Identified recipients with Yerdel grade III/IV PVT, which was confirmed by multiphase contrast-enhanced CT, indirect portography, and intraoperative evaluation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria were living-donor and split-liver procedures.
• All procedures were performed using classic orthotopic transplantations.