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Seven patients with situs inversus abdominis and one with situs inversus totalis underwent liver transplantation; all are alive at follow-up of between 7 months and 5 years. Two patients required retransplantation within the first 3 weeks (for primary non-function and thrombotic infarction). Seven had additional abnormalities associated with the polysplenia-biliary atresia syndrome. Liver transplantation in these patients involved selection of relatively small donor organs or use of reduced-size grafts. Delayed abdominal wall closure was necessary in two patients and all required a modification of the 'piggy-back' technique of suprahepatic vena caval anastomosis to overcome recipient venous anomalies. Biliary drainage by Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy was the preferred technique. Although technically challenging, situs inversus is not a contraindication to liver transplantation and patients should expect full recovery.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/bjs.1800820236

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Surg

Publication Date

02/1995

Volume

82

Pages

242 - 245

Keywords

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y, Anastomosis, Surgical, Child, Child, Preschool, Contraindications, Humans, Infant, Liver Transplantation, Situs Inversus