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Domino Liver Transplant from Donors With MSUD: Operative Strategy and Long-Term Outcomes

B. Kelly,1 K. Soltys,1 G. Bond,1 J. Vockley,2 K. Strauss,3 H. Morton,3 R. Sindhi,1 G. Mazariegos.1

1Surgery, Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, Children's Hospital Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
2Pediatric Genetics, Children's Hospital Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
3Pediatrics, Clinic for Special Children, Pittsburgh, PA.

Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 48

Keywords: Liver transplantation, Metabolic disease, Outcome

Session Information

Session Name: Concurrent Session: Liver: Pediatrics

Session Type: Concurrent Session

Date: Sunday, May 3, 2015

Session Time: 2:15pm-3:45pm

 Presentation Time: 2:15pm-2:27pm

Location: Room 115-C

Liver transplant (txp) is the definitive branched chain keto-acid (BCKA) replacement therapy for patients with Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). Due to the extra-hepatic distribution of BCKAs (>70%) in non-MSUD patients, the affected explanted liver can be transplanted into non-MSUD recipients (domino liver transplant) without dietary restriction or risk of disorder-associated metabolic crises.

Herein, we describe our domino liver transplant (DLT) experience for MSUD including preoperative patient selection processes, multi-team operative strategy, and postoperative graft performance.

Between 2006 and 2014, 9 children with MSUD underwent brain-deceased liver txp and donated their livers to 9 recipients with ESLD of varying etiology. Patient follow-up post txp was > 6 months (range 6.3-102.8 months). All patients are alive with functioning grafts including one patient who received a left lateral segment. Although DLT recipients were transplanted at a significantly lower MELD/PELD score than their matched MSUD donors, there were no significant differences in mean age/weight at txp, waitlist time, cold-ischemia time, length of stay, or quantitative amino acid levels at discharge.

  MSUD Recipient Domino Recipient p-value
Mean age at Txp (years) 16.8 22.9 0.183
Gender (M/F) 3/6 6/3  
Mean weight (kg) 57.7 57.7 0.999
Mean wait list time (days) 566.2 1276.3 0.265
Mean M/P at Txp 32.3 18.8 0.04
Mean D/C Valine level 29.9 22.4 0.115
Mean D/C Leucine level 34.8 13.1 0.117
Mean D/C Isoleucine level 11.3 8.5 0.197
Mean Cold ischemia time (min) 348.7 322.9 0.625
LOS after Txp (days) 21.6 23.2 0.68

DLT was successfully performed utilizing surgical techniques to minimize operative and cold ischemia times, and to preserve the optimal vascular and biliary anatomy for donor hepatectomy and transplant. A well-synchronized team approach with communication at key decision points is also mandatory. In our experience, DLT recipients have excellent immediate graft function, and comparable long-term graft and patient survival compared to their MSUD donors. Increased consideration to domino transplantation from patients with select metabolic disease may increase transplantable grafts.

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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Kelly B, Soltys K, Bond G, Vockley J, Strauss K, Morton H, Sindhi R, Mazariegos G. Domino Liver Transplant from Donors With MSUD: Operative Strategy and Long-Term Outcomes [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/domino-liver-transplant-from-donors-with-msud-operative-strategy-and-long-term-outcomes/. Accessed June 1, 2025.

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