Our study investigates the outcomes of the use of aortohepatic conduits in OLT.

Methods: This is a retrospective single centre analysis of prospectively collected data from our institution's electronic database. All patients that had OLT with the use of an aortohepatic conduit, between January 2003 and October 2014, were included. Patient and graft outcomes and complications were investigated with descriptive statistics. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate patient and graft survival.

Results: During the time interval mentioned, 891 patients who underwent OLT were identified. Eighty-seven (9.7%) patients received 92 liver grafts using aortohepatic conduits. The male to female ratio was 54:33 (62%:38%) and the median age was 48 years (range: 19-69). Median follow-up was 45 months (range: 0-144). 20 patients died during the follow-up period, with patient survival at 12 years being 65.4%. Three (15%) deaths were directly attributed to a conduit-related complication. During the follow-up period 19 grafts failed, 10 (53%) out of which due to a conduit-related complication. Graft survival at 12 years was 72.3%. Overall, complications were recorded in 31 (34%) cases, with 14 (15%) cases being directly related to the conduit (thrombosis, bleeding, stenosis). Other complications included bleeding due to other causes, portal venous thrombosis and stenosis, caval stenosis, biliary leak and stricture, bowel obstruction, wound dehiscence, infected intra-abdominal collections, abdominal organ infarction.

Conclusion: The use of aortohepatic conduit is a useful technique in OLT with acceptable patient and graft survival, despite the increased risk of post-operative complications.

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