Combined liver and pancreas procurement from a controlled non-heart-beating donor with aberrant hepatic arterial anatomy

Abstract

Background: The critical shortage of transplantable organs has resulted in the use of extended donors, including non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs). Combined procurement of both a whole pancreas and a liver from a single cadaver is always anatomically feasible. However, when aberrant vasculature is present, the potential for vascular injury increases. Because the rapid flush technique is used in NHBD procurement, the inability to palpate arterial pulsation may also increase the chance of vascular damage.

Methods: We report a case of a successful combined procurement of hepatic, pancreatic, and renal grafts from a controlled NHBD with right replaced and left accessory hepatic arteries.

Result: The liver and the pancreas were successfully transplanted to two different recipients in two different institutions without any complications. All grafts are functioning well at 14 months of follow-up.

Conclusion: Safe procurement of both the liver and pancreas is possible from certain controlled NHBDs, even with aberrant anatomy.