Innovative Liver Perfusion Technique Creates Global Interest

The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) has introduced a groundbreaking perfusion technique for assessing the quality of donor livers, which has resulted in an unprecedented number of liver transplants not only in Groningen but across the Netherlands. This innovative method has attracted international attention, highlighting its potential to enhance organ preservation and transplantation outcomes.

Donor livers have a limited viability outside the human body, typically lasting between six to ten hours, necessitating rapid transplantation. To address this challenge, the UMCG established an Organ Preservation & Resuscitation unit in 2015. This specialized facility allows for the treatment of donor organs--such as livers, lungs, and kidneys--using oxygen-rich fluids in advanced perfusion machines prior to their transplantation.

The newly developed perfusion techniques not only improve the preservation of the organs but also facilitate their testing just before transplantation, leading to a higher number of viable organs. The protocol detailing this perfusion method has been published in a reputable scientific journal, making it accessible to liver transplant centers worldwide.

The publication of the protocol is expected to encourage numerous transplant centers to adopt this method. UMCG officials emphasize that this technique is safe for recipients and significantly increases the availability of donor livers, thereby offering more patients the chance for life-saving transplants.

Since implementing this technique, the UMCG has witnessed a remarkable increase in liver transplants, achieving a record of 253 procedures across the Netherlands by the end of 2024, with 95 of those taking place in Groningen alone. This success is attributed to the efficient utilization of available donor livers, with nearly 70% of transplants performed using livers that underwent the perfusion process.

The approach has also streamlined scheduling, allowing for the majority of transplants to occur during the day. Interest in this technique has attracted professionals from various countries, including Norway, Germany, Israel, Belgium, and Australia, who have visited the UMCG to observe the perfusion process firsthand.

While sharing insights with international centers, UMCG staff advise a cautious approach to adopting the technique, recommending that centers first gain experience with cold perfusion before progressing to hot perfusion methods. Essential to the successful implementation of this technique is the presence of well-trained personnel, as the perfusion process requires skilled organ perfusionists.

UMCG has been at the forefront of organ perfusionist education, offering an international training program since 2022. This course attracts students globally, emphasizing the critical role of trained professionals in executing the perfusion procedures correctly.

The advancements made at UMCG not only enhance the field of organ transplantation but also contribute to a growing body of knowledge that can improve outcomes for patients in need of liver transplants worldwide.