Intraoperative assessment of liver organ condition by the procurement surgeon.

Abstract Generally the transplanting surgeon accepts or declines the offer of a marginal organ in view of all available information. Hence, in some cases it is the procurement surgeon who decides about the suitability for potential further liver transplantation. Methods From January 1, 2003 to September 30, 2005, a total of 402 organ procurement operations were performed in our region. Results Due to infrastructural problems in nine cases intraoperative evaluation of liver biopsies was not achievable in time, and the decision to reject the organs was based on the procurement surgeon’s clinical assessment. The main reason for liver rejection was alleged extreme steatosis, (6 of 9) or liver c…