Grade of donor liver microvesicular steatosis does not affect the postoperative outcome after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: The potential effect of graft steatosis on the postoperative liver function is discussed controversially. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the donor liver microvesicular steatosis on the postoperative outcome after liver transplantation. METHODS: Ninety-four patients undergoing liver transplantation at the University Hospital Aachen were included in this study. The patient cohort was divided into three groups according to the grade of microvesicular steatosis (MiS): MiS < 30% (n=27), MiS 30%-60% (n=41) and MiS > 60% (n=26). The outcomes after liver transplantation were evaluated, including the 30-day and 1-year patient and graft survival rates and the incidences of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) and primary nonfunction (PNF). RESULTS: The incidences of EAD and PNF did not differ significantly between the groups. We observed 5 cases of PNF, one occurred in the MiS < 30% group and 4 in the MiS 30%-60% group. The 30-day and 1-year graft survivals did not differ significantly between groups. The 30-day patient survival rates were 100% in all groups. The 1-year patient survival rates were 94.4% in the MiS < 30% group, 87.9% in the MiS 30%-60% group and 90.9% in the MiS > 60% group. CONCLUSION: Microvesicular steatosis of donor livers has no negative effect on the postoperative outcome after liver transplantation.