Preservation solutions used during abdominal transplantation:Current status and outcomes

Organ preservation remains an important contributing factor to graft and patient outcomes. During donor organ procurement and transportation, cellular injury is mitigated through the use of preservation solutions in conjunction with hypothermia. Various preservation solutions and protocols exist with widespread variability among transplant centers. In this review of abdominal organ preservation solutions, evolution of transplantation and graft preservation are discussed followed by classification of preservation solutions according to the composition of electrolytes, impermeants, buffers, antioxidants, and energy precursors. Lastly, pertinent clinical studies in the setting of hepatic, renal, pancreas, and intestinal transplantation are reviewed for patient and graft survival as well as financial considerations. In liver transplants there may be some benefit with the use of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate(HTK) over University of Wisconsin solution in terms of biliary complications and potential cost savings. Renal grafts may experience increased initial graft dysfunction with the use of Euro-Collins thereby dissuading its use in support of HTK which can lead to substantial cost savings. University of Wisconsin solution and Celsior are favored in pancreas transplants given the concern for pancreatitis and graft thrombosis associated with HTK. No difference was observed with preservation solutions with respect to graft and patient survival in liver, renal, and pancreas transplants. Studies involving intestinal transplants are sparse but University of Wisconsin solution infused intraluminally in combination with an intra-vascular washout is a reasonable option until further evidence can be generated. Available literature can be used to ameliorate extensive variation across centers while potentially minimizing graft dysfunction and improving associated costs.

Diagnosis of morbid obesity may not impact healthcare utilization for orthotopic liver transplantation:A propensity matched study

AIM To study mortality, length of stay, and total charges in morbidly obese adults during index hospitalization for orthotopic liver transplantation.METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried to obtain demographics, healthcare utilization, post orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT) complications, and short term outcomes of OLT performed from 2003 to 2011(n = 46509). We divided patients into those with [body mass index(BMI) ≥ 40] and without(BMI < 40) morbid obesity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performedto characterize differences in in-hospital mortality, length of stay(LOS), and charges for OLT between patients with and without morbid obesity after adjusting for significant confounders. Additionally, propensity matching was performed to further validate the results.RESULTS Of the 46509 patients who underwent OLT during the study period, 818(1.8%) were morbidly obese. Morbidly obese recipients were more likely to be female(46.8% vs 33.4%, P = 0.002), Caucasian(75.2% vs 67.8%, P = 0.002), in the low national income quartile(32.3% vs 22.5%, P = 0.04), and have ≥ 3 comorbidities(modified Elixhauser index; 83.9% vs 45.0%, P < 0.001). Morbidly obese patient also had an increase in procedure related hemorrhage(P = 0.028) and respiratory complications(P = 0.043). Multivariate and propensity matched analysis showed no difference in mortality(OR: 0.70; 95%CI: 0.27-1.84, P = 0.47), LOS(β:-4.44; 95%CI:-9.93, 1.05, P = 0.11) and charges for transplantation(β: $15693; 95%CI:-51622-83008, P = 0.64) between the two groups. Morbidly obese patients were more likely to have transplants on weekdays(81.7%) as compared to those without morbid obesity(75.4%, P = 0.029).CONCLUSION Morbid obesity may not impact in-hospital mortality and health care utilization in OLT recipients. However, morbidly obese patients may be selected after careful assessment of co-morbidities.