Reuse of liver grafts after early death of the first recipient

World J Surg. 1996 Mar-Apr;20(3):309-12; discussion 312-3. doi: 10.1007/s002689900049.

Abstract

Three cases are reported of reuse of a transplanted liver graft after early death of the first recipient due to cerebral hemorrhage. The good condition of the donors; the excellent biochemical evolution of the graft in the first recipients; total ABO compatibility and donor-recipient crossmatch; the absence of positivity to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and bacteriologic cultures; and early death made reuse possible. The shortage of donors in relation to patients on the waiting list and the poor clinical condition of the second recipients made it necessary to adopt the decision to reuse the graft in an attempt to save their lives. The evolution of the patients and the reused grafts was satisfactory, and there were no complications that could be attributed to the fact that the graft had been transplanted before.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Death / physiopathology*
  • Cadaver
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatectomy*
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Liver Transplantation / physiology*
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Tissue Donors*
  • Tissue Survival / physiology
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement*
  • Treatment Outcome