Liver transplantation utilizing a severely fractured graft: every organ counts

Abstract

In our current era where shortage of liver grafts is commonplace, utilization of traumatic liver grafts may represent an opportunity to expand the organ donor pool without compromising graft survival. However, data on liver transplantation using a fractured liver allograft is scarce, with only small case series and reports found in the literature. In this report, we describe our experience with utilizing a liver graft with grade IV hepatic fracture for transplantation. At 12 months follow up, the recipient has excellent graft function and has regained an excellent quality of life. We demonstrate that the ability to safely use a fractured liver graft represents an additional avenue for expansion of the deceased donor population, especially in regions with prolonged waitlist times.

Keywords

• Liver trauma
• Liver transplantation
• Organ pool expansion