Orthotopic liver transplantation in pigs without cold perfusion of the donor liver. Evaluation by quantitative liver function tests.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed in 12 pigs and liver function assessed before and after transplantation. In 6 pigs OLT was carried out without cold perfusion of the donor liver, whereas in the other 6 animals the donor organ was perfused in situ. 5/6 animals without perfusion and 4/6 with cold perfusion survived for more than 10 days. Significantly better liver function was revealed by the aminopyrine breath test (ABT) and the indocyanine green (ICG) disappearance in the group with the cold perfusion of the liver, whereas no differences in routine liver function tests were seen between the two groups. Although OLT without cold perfusion of the donor liver is feasible and prolonged survival of animals is possible, the function of these organs is markedly reduced compared to the cold perfused organs. This method can, therefore, not be recommended. ABT and ICG disappearance are sensitive tests for the evaluation of the liver function in the post-transplant period.