Role of MRCP in Assessment of Biliary Anatomy in Potential Living Liver Transplant Donors

Abstract

Aim: to assess biliary anatomical variants in potential living liver transplant donors using Yoshida classification. Patients and methods: the study was carried out on 54 potential living liver transplantation donors. The donors were randomly selected and evaluated with preoperative MRCP. All candidates’ pattern of biliary tree was classified according to Yoshida classification. Results: The most common biliary tree arborizing pattern was RL type (bifurcation of the right and left ducts), it was seen in 40 candidates (74.04%). The second most common pattern was A-PL where right posterior intrahepatic duct joins the left hepatic duct, then they both join the right hepatic duct to form the common hepatic duct, this pattern was seen in 9 candidates (16.66%). Least common was the trifurcation pattern (APL), which was seen in 5 candidates (9.25%). Conclusion: Preoperative MRCP is an essential step in evaluating potential living liver transplant donors. As a non-invasive technique, MRCP can safely and accurately delineate the branching pattern of biliary tree, guiding the surgical team and reducing post-operative complications.