TN07 UW OR HTK – WHICH IS BETTER IN LIVER TRANSPLANTATION?

Orthotopic liver transplant [OLT] is the gold standard treatment for end stage liver disease [ESLD]. University of Wisconsin [UW] is accepted as the gold standard preserving solution for liver graft preservation. UW is an intracellular type of solution. Histidine‐tryptophan‐ketoglutarate [HTK] is an extra cellular type of solution that offers several advantages. UW and HTK have been used with equal efficacy in preserving abdominal and thoracic cadaveric organs harvested for transplantation. Some transplant centers over the world have changed their practice to use HTK solution as a primary solution for liver transplantation (cadaveric and living related donor). Aim1 To review the current world literature comparing both the solutions. 2 To review the studies including cadaveric and living donor liver transplantation.Methods1 At National University Hospital, we use UW solution for all our liver transplants. 2 Extensive review of the literature using the pubmed, Ovid, MD consult, Proquest and Netlibrary was done. 3 All the human studies comparing the use of UW and HTK for liver transplantation have been reviewed.Conclusion1 Both the solutions have been safely used in cadaveric and living related donor liver transplantation. 2 UW and HKT are equally effective when cold ischaemia times [CIT] are not prolonged. 3 HTK offers the cost benefits even if high volumes are used. 4 There are other practical benefits of using HTK. 5 The efficacy of both the solutions with prolonged CIT and using marginal livers has to be assessed and compared.