Organ Donation Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Organ Donation, including details on risks, procedure, surgery, outcomes.

Assignment of steatotic livers by the Mayo model for end-stage liver disease.

Briceño J, Padillo J, Rufián S, Solórzano G, Pera C

Unit of Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain. javibriceno@hotmail.com

Prognosis after liver transplantation depends on a combination of recipient and donor variables. The purpose of this study is to define an allocation system of steatotic donor livers relative to recipient model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. We reviewed 500 consecutive OLT, computing the MELD score for each recipient. Fatty infiltration in grafts was categorized in no steatosis, 10-30%, 30-60% and > or = 60% steatosis. MELD score did not affect preservation injury and graft dysfunction, which were increased with fat content. Recipient and graft survivals lowered when increasing MELD score. Outcome in low-risk recipients (MELD < or = 9) was not altered with steatosis, except those with > or = 60%. Survival functions in moderate-risk recipients (MELD 10-19) were moderately affected with 10-30% steatosis and severely with those with >30. Exactly 30-60% steatotic grafts work poorly in high-risk recipients (MELD > or = 20), and very poorly with > or = 60% steatosis. Prognosis of candidates is optimally influenced when divergence of recipient-donor risks is presented.

Published 11 April 2005 in Transpl Int, 18(5): 577-83.
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