The course of shipped livers used as full size, reduced or split grafts

A total of 110 transplants, 66 in adults (8 retransplants) and 30 in children (6 retransplants) were analysed according to the origin of the graft (shipped n = 39-non-shipped i.e. self procured n = 71) and the way they were transplanted (as full size grafts (FS) n = 82, reduced size grafts (RED) n = 23 or split grafts (SG) n = 5). Twenty-nine transplants were performed for urgent and 81 for elective indications. There was a statistically higher incidence of 2 or more risk factors in the donors that were selfprocured (non shipped) than in donors from shipped livers (p = 0.025). The overall 3 months graft survival was 79.5% for shipped livers versus 69% for non-shipped livers and patients survival was 89.2% versus 79.0% respectively after 3 months and 82.9% versus 74.4% after 40 months. From these results that were analysed with risk factors of the donors, cold ischaemia time and liver function tests in recipients, transplanted for acute and elective indications, it is concluded that shipping of grafts is a practical and safe procedure even if size reduction or the use of SG is intended.