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Successful liver transplantation using an 87 year-old donor
A Mazziotti1, M Cescon, G L Grazi
1Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University of Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola, Italy.
Hepato-Gastroenterology
|August 3, 1999
Summary
Liver transplantation can be successful even with very old donors. Careful donor evaluation is crucial for successful outcomes in liver transplant recipients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Transplant Surgery
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Increasing demand for liver transplantation due to rising patient numbers.
- Shortage of suitable organ donors, necessitating expanded donor criteria.
- Controversial outcomes reported for liver transplantation using elderly donors.
Observation:
- Successful elective liver transplantation performed using a graft from an 87-year-old donor.
- The recipient was a 65-year-old patient.
- Key factors for success included donor's hemodynamic stability, normal liver function, absence of parenchymal changes, and short ischemia time.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates that very old donors can provide viable liver grafts.
- Careful donor assessment, including liver biopsy for steatosis, is essential.
- Donor age alone may not be a contraindication for liver donation.
Implications:
- This case expands the potential donor pool for liver transplantation.
- Highlights the importance of comprehensive donor evaluation beyond chronological age.
- Suggests that elderly donors can contribute to improving liver transplant outcomes.