Celiac-superior mesenteric artery anastomosis in pancreatic transplantation: a new technique.

In whole organ pancreas transplantation, the vascular anastomosis is routinely based on the portal vein and a Carrel patch of the aorta containing the origin of the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery. For end-to-side anastomosis to the external iliac, extensive dissection is necessary. A new technique involving bench surgery has been developed to avoid this large anastomosis between the Carrel patch and the external iliac artery. The single artery end-to-side anastomosis is accomplished between the distal end of the superior mesenteric artery and the external iliac, after anastomosis of the celiac artery to the proximal end of the superior mesenteric artery.