The model for end-stage liver disease score is useful for predicting economic outcomes in adult cases of living donor liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) is useful for assessing the recipients of liver transplants, namely, deceased-donor transplantation. The application of MELD for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is under investigation. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the MELD score in LDLT in Japan.


METHODS
Seventeen adult cases of LDLT during 2001 to 2005 were enrolled. Indications for LDLT were primary biliary cirrhosis, seven; liver cirrhosis, two; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), three; metabolic liver disease, one; primary sclerosing cholangitis, two; Caroli's disease, one; and biliary atresia, one. Total medical charges during the operative periods were retrospectively evaluated. The united network of organ sharing (UNOS) modified was obtained using preoperative clinical data.


RESULTS
The average medical expense of the 17 cases was approximately 97,901 US dollar. The UNOS-modified MELD score was 22.1. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the MELD score and medical expense (P = 0.0086, rho = 0.657), and between the MELD score and the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) (P = 0.0396, rho = 0.515). The cause of the liver disease leading to transplantation was not related to MELD score, medical expense, or length of ICU stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Although not originally designed for the application to LDLT, the MELD score is useful for predicting medical expenses in LDLT. Similar to those of deceased-donor liver transplantation, the disadvantage of high medical expenses associated with a high MELD score allow consideration of an earlier elective operation in suitable cases.
Kogure
Takayuki
T
Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo, Sendai, Japan.
Ueno
Yoshiyuki
Y
Kawagishi
Naoki
N
Kanno
Noriatsu
N
Yamagiwa
Yoko
Y
Fukushima
Koji
K
Satomi
Susumu
S
Shimosegawa
Tooru
T
D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000191:economics*; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index