[Liver transplantation using grafts from donors over 65].
OBJECTIVE
Donors age 50 years was an exclusion criteria in past decades. The increase of patients in the waiting list has determined the acceptance of older donors (over 65 years old). We analyze our results in liver transplantation using donors over 65 years.


METHODS
From 1986 to may 1994, we performed 381 OLT. In five cases (1.3%) the OLT was performed using donors over 65 years of age (66, 67, 68, 70 and 71). The selection criteria for donors and recipients were similar to the other transplanted patients. Immunosuppression included cyclosporine or FK-506, prednisone and azathioprine.


RESULTS
There were no primary graft failures and preservation damage, biochemical and clinical evolution were not different to the procedures using younger donors. Three grafts presented non-corticoresistant acute rejection. After a follow-up of 11.6 mo (range 4-37 mo) only one graft was lost (Kaposi's sarcoma in the liver). Four grafts and four patients are in excellent biochemical and clinical condition.


CONCLUSIONS
Donor age should not be an exclusion criteria. Grafts from older donors (over 65 years old) may be considered safe and will permit to increase the number of OLT.
Gomez
R
R
Servicio de Cirugía General y Ap. Digestivo, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid.
Moreno
E
E
Loinaz
C
C
González-Pinto
I
I
García
I
I
Marcello
M
M
Castellón
C
C
Lumbreras
C
C
Colina
F
F
Manzanera
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014019:Tissue Donors
Trasplante hepático utilizando injertos de donantes de más de 65 años.