Donor Hepatic Steatosis and Outcome After Liver Transplantation: a Systematic Review.
BACKGROUND
There is increasing need to expand availability of donor liver grafts, including steatotic livers. Steatotic liver is associated with poor outcome post-transplantation but with conflicting results in the literature. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of steatotic livers on liver transplantation outcomes.


METHODS
An electronic search of OVID Medline and Embase databases was performed to identify clinical studies that reported outcomes of steatotic livers in liver transplantation. Data were extracted, and basic descriptive statistics were used to summarise data pooled from individual clinical studies.


RESULTS
Ninety-two articles were identified, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria, and stratified analysis were performed. There was a lack of standardised definition of primary non-function or impaired primary function amongst the studies and description of type of steatosis. Severely (>60%) steatotic grafts are associated with increased risk of poor graft function, whilst moderate-severe (>30%) steatotic grafts are associated with decreased graft survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Available evidence showed increased risk of poor graft outcome in moderate-severe steatotic livers. A large prospective multi-centred trial will be required to identify the true risks of steatotic livers. Consistent definition of primary non-function/impaired primary function and description of type of steatosis is also required.
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand, michaeljjc@gmail.com.
Michael J J
MJ
Chu
Anna J
AJ
Dare
Anthony R J
AR
Phillips
Adam S J R
AS
Bartlett
D064591:Allografts; D051799:Delayed Graft Function / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*