A retrospective analysis of 60 orthotopic liver transplantations was p
erformed to elucidate the effect of three types of rinse solutions (Ri
nger's solution, modified Carolina rinse, and autologous blood) and tw
o types of revascularization (simultaneous vs sequential portal and ar
terial reperfusion) on various parameters of early postoperative graft
function. The only statistically significant association revealed by
multivariate analysis was a positive correlation between donor age and
SGOT/SGPT peak levels postoperatively. In this limited sample no bene
ficial properties of Carolina rinse and/or simultaneous arterializatio
n were verified. Despite modifications of reperfusion, there were 2 ca
ses of primary nonfunctioning graft. However, these cases were associa
ted with elderly donors, prolonged cold storage and, in 1 case, marked
steatosis. Large-scale prospective trials are required to verify or d
isprove experimental data on the use of varying modes of reperfusion.