STANDARDIZED QUICK EN-BLOC TECHNIQUE FOR PROCUREMENT OF CADAVERIC - LIVER GRAFTS FOR PEDIATRIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

This paper describes a quick procedure for cadaveric liver graft retri eval during multiple organ harvesting. The technique is based on minim al preliminary dissection, absence of in situ direct portal perfusion, and en bloc removal of the liver and pancreas, with an aortic patch e ncompassing the coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery. The resu lts of 110 pediatric liver transplantations with 109 organs harvested using this technique are reported. There were no graft harvesting inju ries. The liver graft primary nonfunction rate was 4.5 % (5/110). The 3-month retransplantation rate was 10 %. The actual patient survival r ates were 93 % at 3 months and 90 % at 1 year; actual graft survival r ates were 85.5 % and 78 %, respectively. The technique described was a t least as safe as conventional procedures. A major advantage of the p rocedure is its flexibility, which allows for the easily combined proc urement of other organs (whole pancreas and intestine).