Anatomic variations in right liver living donors

BACKGROUND: Anatomic knowledge is crucial in right liver living donor transplantation. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed radiologic and surgical findings in right liver donors. Arterial and portal anatomy was assessed in 96 donors, biliary anatomy in 77, and hepatic venous anatomy in 65. RESULTS: Portal vein (PV): 86.4% had classic anatomy; 6.3% had a trifurcated PV; 7.3% had a right anterior PV taken off the left PV. Hepatic artery (HA): 70.8% had classic anatomy; 12.5% had a left HA arising from the left gastric artery; 13.5% had a right HA arising from the superior mesenteric artery; 2.1% had a double replaced left HA and right HA; and in 1.0% the common HA arose from the superior mesenteric artery. Biliary tree: 55.8% had normal anatomy; 14.3% had a trifurcated biliary anatomy; in 5.2% the right anterior bile duct and in 15.6% the right posterior bile duct opened into the left bile duct; in 2.6% the right anterior and in 6.5% the right posterior ducts opened into the common bile duct. Hepatic veins: S5 and S8 accessory hepatic veins had incidences of 43% and 49%, respectively. The incidence of S6 or S7 short hepatic vein was 38%. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic variations are common but do not contraindicate donation; surgeons should be prepared to recognize and manage them. (C) 2004 by the American College of Surgeons.