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“70 percent in the USA [donor livers] not used. I don’t know if we can save that 70%,” says Clavien. “But it’s exciting to try to save organs that are not used or have problems that can be used. This liver was totally amazing.”
After removal from the donor, livers are usually stored on ice for a maximum of 12 hours to prevent cold damage to the cells, which reduces the chances of a successful transplant. This narrow window makes it difficult to match organs with people who need a donor liver, meaning many patients die before one is found.
Although more research is needed, the team believes the new technique could allow donor livers to be safely stored for up to 12 days before transplant. If it works, it could also increase the possibility of treating donor livers with medications before surgery.
The 62-year-old male recipient had several serious liver conditions, including advanced cirrhosis and severe portal hypertension (an increase in blood pressure in a large blood vessel that carries blood from the intestine and spleen to the liver).
After being transplanted into his body, the liver started functioning normally within three days. The patient took immunosuppressants to prevent the risk of postoperative infection and was discharged from the hospital 12 days after surgery. An evaluation one year after surgery found no signs of liver damage, injury, or rejection.
Demand for liver transplants is rising, and more people die from liver disease, but the number of organs present remains low. There are currently more than 11,000 people in the US awaiting a liver transplant. by The Department of Health and Human Services and waiting times vary widely across the country.
“I think we could say that this has revolutionized how we treat liver disorders,” says Clavien. “The proof is in patience – that he is here and knows how he was before.”
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