A Comparison of Propofol Based Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Desflurane Based Balanced Anesthesia on Hepatic Protection During Living-donor Liver Transplantation

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury is known to be associated with immediate and long-term hepatic dysfunction after liver transplantation. Protecting the liver against I/R injury and maintaining hepatic function during transplant surgery is therefore very important in order to improve post-operative outcome. This purpose of this study is to investigate whether propofol anesthesia done in both liver donors and recipients during living-donor liver transplantation is effective in reducing liver I/R injury via its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties and improve post-transplant outcome compared to desflurane anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

(1) Adult liver donors and recipients scheduled for liver transplantation

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient refusal
2. Hypersensitivity to propofol, soybeans or peanuts
3. History of vitamin C or E intake within 5 days before surgery
4. History of acute myocardial infarct within 6 months before surgery
5. Congestive heart failure (NYHA III-IV)
6. Autoimmune disease patients
7. BMI over 30 kg/m2
8. Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35% upon preoperative echocardiography