Biological changes after liver transplantation according to the presence or not of graft steatosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the consequences of graft steatosis on postoperative liver function as compared with normal liver grafts.


METHODS
From January 2005 to December 2007, liver transplant patients were prospectively included, excluding those who experienced arterial or biliary complications or presented acute rejection. All patients had a surgical biopsy after reperfusion. Patients were compared according to the rate of macrovacuolar steatosis: namely above or below 20%.


RESULTS
Fifty-three patients were included: 10 in the steatosis group and 43 in the control group. No significant difference was observed in terms of morbidity, mortality, and primary non- or poor function. Nevertheless, biological changes after the procedure were significantly different during the first postoperative week. Prothrombin time, serum bilirubin, and transaminases were significantly increased among the steatosis group compared with the control group (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
This case-controlled study including a small number of patients, described postoperative biological changes among liver transplantations with steatosis in the graft.
Muscari
F
F
Digestive and Liver Transplantation Department, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France. muscari.f@chu-toulouse.fr
Guinard
J-P
JP
Foppa
B
B
Trocard
P
P
Danjoux
M
M
Kamel
M S
MS
Duffas
J-P
JP
Rostaing
L
L
Fourtanier
G
G
Suc
B
B
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D005165:Factor V / Q000032:analysis*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011517:Prothrombin Time
D005165:Factor V; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin