Is graft survival improved by hepatic denervation before organ harvesting?
These data indicate for the first time that hepatic denervation before organ harvesting prevents detrimental effects of brief, gentle manipulation of the liver during harvesting on survival after the transplant. This is consistent with the hypothesis that organ manipulation disturbs the hepatic microcirculation and causes hypoxia at harvesting using mechanisms dependent on innervation.
These findings add quantitative data that support the current practice of discarding syringes with residue around the cap.