AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of splitting a liver graft for transplantation in two adult patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on the harvesting of 100 consecutive liver grafts. Data were separated into 4 groups to establish feasibility criteria, according to the chronological steps of harvesting: 1) initial criteria about the donor (age, weight, biological tests), 2) criteria concerning the liver graft at the time of harvesting (macroscopic appearance, graft weight, hemodynamic state of donor), (3) anatomical criteria and (4) histological criteria. RESULTS: If our criteria for the feasibility of splitting a liver graft for transplantation in two adults had been applied, 47 grafts would have been rejected based on initial criteria, 34 at the time of harvesting and 6 because of anatomical or histological evaluation. Finally, 13 liver grafts would have been accepted for splitting and then transplantation in two adults. CONCLUSIONS: Split-liver transplantation for two adult recipients could increase the graft pool by 13%. This procedure requires technical changes in organ harvesting and coordination among centers.
AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of splitting a liver graft for transplantation in two adult patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on the harvesting of 100 consecutive liver grafts. Data were separated into 4 groups to establish feasibility criteria, according to the chronological steps of harvesting: 1) initial criteria about the donor (age, weight, biological tests), 2) criteria concerning the liver graft at the time of harvesting (macroscopic appearance, graft weight, hemodynamic state of donor), (3) anatomical criteria and (4) histological criteria. RESULTS: If our criteria for the feasibility of splitting a liver graft for transplantation in two adults had been applied, 47 grafts would have been rejected based on initial criteria, 34 at the time of harvesting and 6 because of anatomical or histological evaluation. Finally, 13 liver grafts would have been accepted for splitting and then transplantation in two adults. CONCLUSIONS: Split-liver transplantation for two adult recipients could increase the graft pool by 13%. This procedure requires technical changes in organ harvesting and coordination among centers.
Authors: Dieter C Broering; Christian Wilms; Christian Lenk; Jan Schulte am Esch; Silke Schönherr; Lars Mueller; Jong-Sun Kim; Knut Helmke; Martin Burdelski; Xavier Rogiers Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 12.969