Abstract:
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of application of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive donor liver in adult liver transplantation.
Methods Clinical efficacy of 28 recipients with liver diseases induced by virus B hepatitis (hepatitis B) undergoing liver transplantation using HBsAg-positive donor liver from July 2012 to October 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. Clinical prognosis and postoperative complications of the recipients were summarized. The changing features of serum levels of HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was investigated.
Results After liver transplantation, 28 recipients were orally administered with entecavir to prevent the recurrence of hepatitis B. During perioperative period, 2 recipients died from sepsis and acute heart failure. During postoperative follow-up, 2 cases died from the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). The remaining 24 patients were followed up for 12-26 months. Throughout the follow-up, 24 recipients were positive for serum HBsAg. After treatment, the titre of HBV DNA was significantly declined to < 1×102 copies/mL at postoperative 12 months. No graft dysfunction induced by hepatitis B recurrence occurred in 24 recipients alive.
Conclusions As a marginal donor liver, HBsAg-positive liver graft is safe for liver transplantation in the recipients with hepatitis B-related liver diseases. Postoperatively, anti-HBV treatment should be strengthened and intimate follow-up should be delivered.