Orthotopic liver transplantation: an experimental study on the prevention of infections with Gram-negative organisms

Infection with Gram-negative bacteria is frequently the cause of death in human liver transplantation. In experimental liver transplantation in mongrel dogs we detected Gram-negative septicaemia in 73% of our first 15 cases; maximal survival was 26 days. In a second series of 27 orthotopic liver transplantations in tissue-typed littermate dogs and littermate pigs the standard surgical technique and aftercare were changed with regard to four factors: an end-to-end common bile duct anastomosis was made instead of a gallbladder to duodenum anastomosis; the continuous postoperative bacteriostatic antibiotic therapy was changed to a single 2-day course of bactericidal antibiotics; preoperative selective bowel decontamination combined with postoperative protective isolation was introduced; the dosage of azathioprine used for immunosuppression was reduced..