HÜSEYİN KEREM TOLAN, BORA BARUT, KORAY KUTLUTÜRK, CÜNEYT KAYAALP, SEZAİ YİLMAZ
Experimental and Clinical Transplantation - 2020;18(1):89-92
Objectives: Hepatic vein outflow obstruction in liver transplantation can lead to graft or patient loss. We used an intrauterine balloon to overcome this complication in 13 liver transplant recipients. Here, we report the results of these cases; our report, as far as we know, involves the highest number of patients on this issue. Materials and Methods: Positional hepatic vein outflow obstruction was diagnosed in 13 of 651 liver transplant recipients between January 2014 and December 2016. The grafts were repositioned by intrauterine balloon placed to the right subdiap hragmatic area. Data of donors, recipients, and grafts and posto - perative courses were analyzed. Results: Of the 13 patients, 9 were men, with age range of patients of 22 to 70 years. The amount of saline used to inflate the balloon was variable (200-450 cm3), and hepatic vein outflow obstruction was relieved after balloon implantation in all patients. There were no balloon-related complications. Removal was done at bedside, without any additional sedation or any additional skin incision on days 2 to 15. Doppler ultrasonography scans were performed before and after the balloon removal. There were no vascular complications after removal. Conclusions: Intrauterine balloon can be safely and efficiently used for hepatic vein outflow obstruction during liver transplant when needed.
