Objective  To summarize the preliminary experience of donor liver protection and function evaluation for organ donation after citizen's death.

  Methods  Clinical data of 35 donors from organ donation after citizen's death and 33 recipients were retrospectively analyzed. Donor liver procurement and clinical prognosis of the recipients were summarized. According to serum level of sodium ion (serum sodium) before organ procurement, all recipients were divided into the serum sodium < 155 mmol/L, 155-160 mmol/L and 161-180 mmol/L groups. The incidence of liver graft dysfunction early after liver transplantation was statistically compared among three groups.

  Results  In 35 donors, 27 cases were Chinese type Ⅱ and 8 cases were Chinese type Ⅲ. Thirty-three donor livers were used for liver transplantation, and the remaining 2 cases of donor livers were excluded due to congestive cirrhosis. In 33 liver transplantation recipients, 30 cases were successfully recovered. The liver function was gradually restored at postoperative 7-14 d, and normal liver function was obtained during long-term follow-up. Postoperatively, 3 recipients died including 2 cases dying from portal vein thrombosis and 1 case from pulmonary infection complicated with multiple organ failure. The incidence of early liver graft dysfunction of the recipients after liver transplantation was 18%, 23% and 4/5 in the serum sodium < 155 mmol/L, 155-160 mmol/Land 161-180 mmol/L groups, respectively. Statistical significance was observed between the 161-180 mmol/L and < 155 mmol/L groups (P < 0.05).

  Conclusions  Timely protection of donor liver, accurate evaluation and maintenance of liver function play a pivotal role in enhancing the utilization rate of donor liver, maintaining liver function and yielding good efficacy for transplantation.