Intraoperative Doppler sonogram in pediatric liver transplants: a pictorial review of intraoperative and early postoperative complications

Abstract

A spectrum of vascular complications can be seen in pediatric liver transplant patients, including occlusion and hemodynamically significant narrowing of the vessels that provide inflow to or outflow from the graft. Intraoperative Doppler ultrasound (US) has the potential benefit of identifying vascular complications in pediatric liver transplant patients prior to abdominal closure. Importantly, intraoperative Doppler US can be used as a problem-solving tool in situations such as position-dependent kinking of the portal or hepatic veins, or in suspected vasospasm of the hepatic artery. Furthermore, this technique can be used for real-time reassessment after surgical correction of vascular complications. This pictorial review of intraoperative Doppler US in pediatric liver transplant patients illustrates normal findings and common vascular complications, including examples after surgical correction, in the perioperative period.

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