“In the US, 70% [donor livers] Can not use; Out of order; It disfunction. I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to rescue that 70 percent,” Clavien said. “But it’s exciting to try to rescue organs that are not being used or those that have problems that can be used. This liver is absolutely amazing. ”
Once removed from the donor, the liver is usually stored in ice for up to 12 hours to prevent cells from being damaged by cold, which will reduce the chances of a successful transplant. This narrow window makes it difficult to match organs with those in need of a donor liver, meaning many patients die before a liver is found.
Although more research is needed, the team believes that the new technique could allow a donor liver to be safely preserved for up to 12 days before transplantation. If effective, it could also increase the likelihood of a donor liver being treated with drugs before surgery.
A 62-year-old man has several serious liver conditions, including advanced cirrhosis and severe portal hypertension – an increase in blood pressure in a major blood vessel that carries blood from the intestines and spleen to the liver. .
After being transplanted into his body, the liver began to function normally within three days. The patient took immunosuppressive drugs to avoid the risk of postoperative infection and was discharged 12 days after surgery. Evaluation one year after surgery found no signs of liver damage, injury, or rejection.
The demand for liver transplants is increasing, and more and more people died of liver disease, but the number of available organs is still low. There are more than 11,000 people in the US waiting for a liver transplant, based on Department of Health and Human Services, and waiting times vary widely across the country.
“I think we can say that this is revolutionizing the way we treat liver disorders,” says Clavien. “The proof is the patient – that he’s here and knows what he was like before.”
