A retrospective comparative study of venous vs nonringed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene extension grafts for anterior sector outflow reconstruction in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

Background Prosthetic vessel grafts are increasingly being used for anterior sector (AS) outflow reconstruction in right lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL‐LDLT) in view of easy availability and proper fit. The aim of the study was to analyze technique and outcomes of AS reconstruction using nonringed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts and compare outcomes with venous extension grafts. Methods This is a retrospective study of 437 consecutive RL‐LDLTs from January 2014 to August 2015. Vein (V) and ePTFE (alone or composite) were used alternatively or best fit for particular right lobe graft. Result V graft was used in 200 recipients and ePTFE in 237 recipients with comparable preoperative donor and recipient characteristics. Cold ischemia time was significantly high in the ePTFE group. Postoperative recipient outcomes were comparable between the groups. The graft patency rate was comparable between the groups at different time intervals of follow‐up. However, 12‐month patency was low in those with multiple venous tributaries than with single outflow reconstruction ([V 90%, ePTFE 86.7%] vs [V 97.4%, ePTFE 95.2%]). No patient was re‐explored for graft blockage. There was no significant difference in 30‐day (V 92%, ePTFE 94.5%, P = 0.34), 90‐day (V 90%, ePTFE 90.7%, P = 0.87) and one‐year (V 87.5%, ePTFE 89%, P = 0.66) patient survival between the groups. Conclusion Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene gives equivalent patency and recipient outcomes with the added advantage of proper size match fit, allowing more complex AS reconstruction with ease without increased infection rate or associated complications.