Recipient Selection for Optimal Utilization of Discarded Grafts in Liver Transplantation

AbstractBackgroundIn France, liver grafts that have been refused by at least 5 teams are considered for rescue allocation, with the choice of the recipient being at the team's discretion. While this system permits the use of otherwise discarded grafts in a context of organ shortage, outcomes and potential benefits need to be assessed.MethodsBetween 2011 and 2015, outcomes of rescue allocation grafts (n=33) were compared to standard allocation grafts (n=321) at a single French center.ResultsLiver grafts in the rescue allocation group were older (63+/-17 vs. 54+/-18y, p=0.007) and had a higher donor risk index (1.86+/-0.45 vs. 1.61+/-0.47, p=0.010). Recipients in this group had a lower MELD score (14+/-5 vs. 22+/-10, p

http://ift.tt/2qioqvf