Surg Gynecol Obstet 1989 Jun;168(6):542-4

Preservation of the retrohepatic vena cava during recipient hepatectomy for
orthotopic transplantation of the liver

Stieber AC, Marsh JW Jr, Starzl TE

Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Health Center.

Abstract

A modified final phase of recipient hepatectomy in orthotopic hepatic
transplantation is presented. It involves preservation of the retrohepatic vena
cava "in toto" to decrease the risk of injury to the adrenal gland and assure
better control of the adrenal vein, as well as the forming of the caval cuffs,
for the subsequent implantation of the donor liver.