Optimizing liver utilization for transplantation with partial grafts undergoing normothermic machine perfusion: Two...

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary surgery
• Transplant surgery
• Organ preservation

Background:

• Liver transplantation (LT) is a life-saving treatment for end-stage liver disease.
• Graft shortage necessitates strategies like split liver transplantation (SLT) to expand donor availability.
• Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) offers a solution to mitigate risks associated with extended cold ischemia times in SLT.

Observation:

• A split liver transplantation (SLT) was performed using a single donor for a pediatric and an adult recipient.
• The split grafts, a left lateral segment and a right trisectional graft, were suitable for both recipients.
• The right trisectional graft was preserved using normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) post-procurement to enhance logistics.

Findings:

• Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) in conjunction with split liver transplantation (SLT) allows for graft optimization.
• This combined approach significantly improves the logistical aspects of organ transplantation.
• Both split grafts were successfully implanted, resulting in excellent short-term outcomes for the recipients.

Implications:

• Combining SLT with NMP presents a viable strategy to increase organ availability for liver transplantation.
• Standardized protocols for SLT and NMP can further optimize graft utilization and transplant outcomes.
• This innovative approach holds promise for improving the management of liver disease globally.