Older Donor Age Is a Risk Factor for Negative Outcomes After Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Using Small‐for‐Size Grafts

Abstract

Adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) using small‐for‐size grafts (SFSGs), ie, a graft with a graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio (GRWR) <0.8%, has been a challenge that should be carefully dealt with, and risk factors in this category are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to examine the risk factors and outcomes of ALDLT using SFSGs over a 13‐year period in 121 patients who had undergone their first ALDLT using SFSGs. Small‐for‐size syndrome (SFSS), early graft loss, and 1‐year mortality were encountered in 21.6%, 14.9%, and 18.4% of patients, respectively. By multivariate analysis, older donor age (≥45 years) was an independent risk factor for SFSS (odds ratio [OR], 4.46; P = 0.004), early graft loss (OR, 4.11; P = 0.02), and 1‐year mortality (OR, 3.76; P = 0.02). Child‐Pugh C class recipients were associated with a higher risk of SFSS development (P = 0.013; OR, 7.44). Despite no significant difference between GRWR categories in the multivariate outcome analysis of the whole population, in the survival analysis of the 2 donor age groups, GRWR <0.6% was associated with significantly lower 1‐year survival than the other GRWR categories in the younger donor group. Moreover, in the high final portal venous pressure (PVP) group (>15 mm Hg), younger ABO‐compatible donors showed 100% 1‐year survival with a significant difference from the group of other donors. Older donor age was an independent risk factor for SFSS, early graft loss, and 1‐year mortality after ALDLT using SFSGs. GRWR should not be <0.6%, and PVP modulation is indicated when grafts from older or ABO‐incompatible donors are used.