Iliac Vessel Transplant

Iliac vessels are vascular tissues (blood vessels) that supply blood to the lower body and pelvis. Their arteries carry oxygenated blood to the lower body and pelvis, while their veins return deoxygenated blood towards the heart.

In living-donor liver transplant procedures, human iliac vessels from deceased donors are commonly used as a conduit connecting the transplanted liver to the recipient's own blood vessels. This is particularly necessary when the recipient's blood vessels are too short, damaged, or absent. These donor vessels are dissected (isolated), reconstructed and attached to the recipient's blood vessels to restore blood flow and are generally considered more durable than synthetic alternatives.

Click here to read about Liver Transplantation.