Influence of Intraoperative Blood Salvage and Autotransfusion on Tumor Recurrence After Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

Influence of Intraoperative Blood Salvage and Autotransfusion on Tumor Recurrence After Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

The practice of intraoperative blood salvage and autotransfusion (IBSA) during deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can potentially reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. However, implementing IBSA remains debatable due to concerns about its possible detrimental effects on oncologic recurrence. Hence, a nationwide multi-center study was conducted to investigate further the association between IBSA and post-transplant HCC recurrence, including a stratified subgroup analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult-to-adult deceased donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients under 18 years of age
• presence of extrahepatic metastasis
• combined kidney transplantation
• reduced-size or split liver transplantation
• re-transplantation