Graft size, donor age, and patient status are the indicators of early graft function after living donor liver transplantation.

No reliable model for predicting early graft function and patient survival after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) exists. The aim of this study was to establish a new formula for predicting early graft function and prognosis using technetium-99m galactosyl-human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) liver scintigraphy. The ratio of the hepatic uptake ratio of Tc-GSA to the clearance index of Tc-GSA (LHL/HH) was determined 7 days after LDLT. There were 22 patients with a ratio greater than 1.3 and 6 patients with a ratio less than 1.3. Graft function on the 14th postoperative day (POD) was compared between the 2 groups. A new formula to predict the LHL/HH score was established as follows: LHL/HH (predictive score) = 0.011 x graft weight (%) - 0.016 x donor age - 0.008 x Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score - 0.15 x shunt (if present) + 1.757 (r(2) = 0.497, P < 0.01). This predicted LHL/HH ratio was compared to the graft function on POD 14 for 110 LDLT patients. The total bilirubin (TB) and prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR) in the group with an LHL/HH score > or = 1.3 were lower than those in the group with an LHL/HH score < 1.3. The TB, PT-INR, and volume of ascites in the group with a predictive score > or = 1.3 (n = 86) were lower than those in the group with a score < 1.3 (n = 24). The 6-month survival probability was improved in the group with a predictive score > or = 1.3. In conclusion, this preoperative calculated LHL/HH score is correlated with graft function and short-term prognosis. Thus, this predictive model may allow transplant surgeons to use a living donor left lobe graft with greater confidence.