Portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation

Abstract

Background: Portal vein thrombosis was considered a contraindication for liver transplantation in the past because of the high morbidity and mortality rates. Many advances made the results better.

Aim: Review the advances and surgical strategies for liver transplantation in presence of portal vein thrombosis.

Method: Survey of publications in Medline, Scielo and Lilacs databases. Headings crossed: portal vein thrombosis, liver transplantation, vascular complications, jump graft, graft failure, multivisceral transplant. Data analyzed were epidemiology, risk factors, classification, diagnosis, surgical strategies and outcomes.

Conclusion: Portal vein thrombosis is not a contraindication for liver transplantation anymore. There are many strategies to perform the liver transplantation in this condition, depending on portal vein thrombosis grade. Regardless higher morbidity and re-trhombosis rates, the outcomes of liver transplantation in portal vein thrombosis are similar to series without portal vein thrombosis.