Oxygenation of liver transplants as a predictor of success

Abstract

Disturbances of microcirulation followed by an impaired tissue oxygenation contribute significantly to a possible organ dysfunction after liver implantation. This study investigated the influence of the explantation technique on and the possible predictive value of the liver transplant oxygenation. Two different explantation techniques were used. The livers were either explanted as rapidly as possible followed by the careful dissection of the vessels and the bile duct ex situ-rapid perfusion or were completely prepared-in situ perfusion in both groups, the livers were preserved by arterial and porto-venous infusion of ice-cold “UW”-solution. Local partial pressure values were obtained polarographically with miniaturized needle electrodes. The liver oxygenation directly after laparotomy was comparable in both groups. We systematically investigated the potential of liver oxygenation as a predictor of transplant quality.