Perioperative Findings and Postoperative Complications in Living Donor Liver Transplantation Recipients with High MELD Scores

Abstract

Background and Aims: We aimed to investigate the effect of the high MELD score on perioperative recipient/graft ischemia times and postoperative complications. Materials and Method: One hundred and seventy-two patients who underwent living-donor liver transplantation for end stage liver cirrhosis were included in the study. The patients were grouped and examined according to their MELD score under and above 20. Anhepatic phase, cold ischemia time, operation time, blood product transfusion, total hospital and intensive care unit staying time rates, biliary complications, hepatic vein thrombosis, portal vein thrombosis, postoperative hemorrhage, sepsis, and primary graft dysfunction were analyzed statistically. Results: Cold ischemia time (p = 0.046) was statistically longer in patients with MELD >20. A result very close to the statistically significant P value regarding perioperative blood transfusion was obtained. Conclusion: Cold ischemia time increases with increasing MELD. The MELD score must be taken into consideration when preparing the patient and making a treatment plan.