[Cost comparison of cadaveric liver transplantation with living-donor transplantation]

To compare the cost of cadaveric liver transplantation with adult-adult right hepatic lobe living-donor transplantation.

Total cost of 25 cadaveric liver transplantations and 22 adult-adult right hepatic lobe living-donor transplantations was considered from the day of hospital admission until the day of discharge. Professional fees and expenses due to post-transplant complications and donor follow-up were not included.

There was no difference in hospital stay between recipients of cadaveric transplantation (13.2+/- 4.1 days) and those of living-donor transplantation (15.4+/- 4.5 days). Costs of living-donor organ acquisition (USD 4,975.08+/- 565.34) were higher than those of cadaveric organ donation (USD 3,081.73+/- 305.57) (p<0.001). Implantation costs were similar for cadaveric and living-donor transplantation. Operating room and material costs were higher for living-donor transplantation and medications, exams and blood components costs were higher for cadaveric transplantation. The most expensive component of both cadaveric and living-donor liver transplantation was the cost of medications. Total cost was higher for living-donor transplantation (USD 22,986.60+/- 1,477.09) than for cadaveric transplantation (USD 21,582.90+/- 1,818.11) (p= 0.0022).

Total cost of living-donor liver transplantation is higher than that of cadaveric transplantation.