BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been reported to have high rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence compared to deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT). This has been assumed to be due to the frequent use of small-for-size grafts (SFSG) in LDLT rather than DDLT, but the relationship between graft size and prognosis remains controversial. This study aimed to clarify the effect of SFSG on the oncologic outcomes of patients with HCC who underwent LDLT.

METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2015, 597 consecutive patients underwent LDLT. Among these patients, those with HCC who underwent LDLT were randomly matched to 1 (graft-to-recipient body weight ratio [GRWR] <0.8%): 3 (GRWR≥0.8%) ratio according to propensity score. HCC recurrence and patient survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. In addition, stratified subgroup analysis based on the Milan criteria was performed. SFSG was defined as a GRWR<0.8%.

RESULTS: Using propensity score matching, 82 patients with GRWR<0.8% and 246 patients with GRWR≥0.8% were selected. For patients with HCC within the Milan criteria, no significant difference of HCC recurrence (P=0.82) and patient survival (P=0.95) was found based on GRWR. However, for patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria, 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence free survival rates were 52.4%, 49.3%, and 49.3%, respectively, for patients with GRWR<0.8%, and 76.5%, 68.3%, and 64.3%, respectively, for patients with GRWR≥0.8% (P=0.049). The former group exhibited poor patient survival rates (P=0.047).

CONCLUSIONS: For patients with HCC within the Milan criteria, no significant difference in oncologic outcomes was found based on liver graft size. However, among the patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria, SFSG recipients showed poor oncologic outcomes. Since extended criteria are frequently used in LDLT for HCC, recipients' prognosis can be improved if liver grafts of appropriate size are carefully selected during donor selection.

CITATION INFORMATION: Lee E., Kim S., Shim J., Park J., Na B., Park S-.J. Small-for-Size Grafts Increase Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Liver Transplantation beyond Milan Criteria Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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