Liver transplantation using organs from donors older than 60 years

At present, it is frequently accepted to expand the organ pool for liver transplantation (LTx) by including livers from critical donors. From 1990 to June 2002 a total of 1,208 LTx were performed. Of those, 67 livers from donors older than 60 years were transplanted to 66 patients, including re-LTx in eight patients. Fourteen patients had malignant diseases (21%). Ten patients had a high urgency status (15%). Median donor age was 65 years (range 61-80 years). Primary graft function was observed in 84%. Patient survival rate at 1 and 5 years was 79% and 62%, and graft survival was 68% and 53%, respectively. No difference was observed in LTx with livers from donors younger than 60 years. Fifteen graft losses occurred during the study. Surgical complications were observed in 23 patients (34%). The outcome of LTx with livers from donors older than 60 years is satisfactory and is comparable to results of LTx with livers from donors younger than 60 years. The frequency of vascular complications and cholestasis syndrome is not increased.