Do smaller adults wait longer for liver transplantation? A comparison of the UK and the USA data.

BACKGROUND

The number of patients on the UK and the USA liver transplant list is increasing. As size match is an important factor in the UK organ allocation, we studied the effect of recipient size on liver transplantation in the UK and the USA.

METHODS

The UK Transplant and United Network for Organ Sharing databases were used to assess difference in access to transplantation between smaller adult patients and their larger counterparts over three time periods. Subsequently, proportions of split, NHBD and living-donor transplants were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 1576 UK and 29,150 USA patients in our analysis. The UK small patients have been significantly disadvantaged in access to transplantation particularly in early years and in adult only transplant units. This contrasts to the USA where smaller patients have never been disadvantaged and transplantation rates are steadily increasing. Split-liver transplants are being carried out in increasing numbers in the UK but not the USA.

CONCLUSIONS

Small adults are still less likely to be transplanted at six months in adult only units in the UK. The lack of size matched organs for smaller adults and the overall decrease in rates of transplantation in the UK may be remedied by careful consideration of allocation policy and increased use of innovative techniques.