Assessment of early graft function in relation to different preservation fluids--preliminary results

The parameters of transplanted liver functions were exposed to a retrospective analysis during the past year. A group of 51 patients out of 223 were thoroughly examined, all of them having undergone orthotopic liver transplant in Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw until 1.09.2003. With transplants, two types of preservation fluids: UW (Viaspan) and Celsior were used alternatively. Liver function was assessed on the basis of the clinical feature and biochemical data. The results obtained were statistically verified. The way of fluid perfusion during the operation and the rinsing effectiveness were also evaluated, additionally the level of marked K during the reperfusion was checked. There were no statistically significant differences noticeable between both groups of recipients. Among all the liver and kidneys effectiveness parameters assessed with the recipients after OLTx, the considerable difference statistically, was visible only with the levels of AspAt, AlAt, INR and APTT during the first days and nights after the operations. Later the difference was gradually disappearing. However, in accordance with the harvesting teams' opinions, the usage of Celsior, owing to lower viscosity, allowed for faster and more exact blood rinsing from a vascular bed of the organ transplanted. The organ's even penetration was also possible. The lack of necessity to use additional stabilizers also simplified radically the harvesting technique. Celsior--the preservation fluid used in the authors' clinic meets all the requirements necessary to efficacious preservation and storage of a to be transplanted liver.