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Study on Relationship Between Orthotopic Liver Transplantation with or Without Preservation of Retrohepatic Vena Cava and Postoperative Allograft Hepatitis B Virus Reinfection

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between liver transplantation procedure with or without preservation of retrohepatic vena cava and postoperative reinfection of hepatitis B virus.MethodsHepatitis B virus makers of 15 retrohepatic vena cava samples from hepatitis B virus active replicating recipients was detected using immunohistochemistry stain LSAB and HBV DNA hybridization in situ. Hepatitis B virus reinfection rate and survival rate after transplantation in classic group (20 cases) and piggyback group (7 cases) was analyzed retrospectively. ResultsHepatitis B virus makers including HBsAg and HBcAg and HBV DNA of all 15 retrohepatic vena cava samples, 10 from classic group and 5 from piggyback group, was negative. In classic group, 20 recipients were followedup 6-30 months, mean 18 months, only one case of hepatitis B recurrence was confirmed 22 months after operation; In piggyback group,7 recipients were followedup 5-12 months, mean 8 months, none of hepatitis B virus reinfection was encountered. Recurrence rate in classic group and piggyback group was 5.0%(1/20) and 0(0/7), respectively.ConclusionThis preliminary study indicated that the retrohepatic vena cava of hepatitis B virus active replicating recipients don’t have the residence and replication of hepatitis B virus particle. Orthotopic liver transplantation procedure with preservation of retrohepatic vena cava appears not to increase the hepatitis B virus reinfection rate in hepatitis B virus active replicating recipients after transplantation.