Prostaglandin E1 for the treatment of primary non-function of the donor organ in liver transplantation.

Abstract

To present a case in which acute failure of a liver graft was treated with an infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1).A nine-year-old girl underwent liver transplantation for Wilson's disease. Her course was complicated by primary non-function of the graft as evidenced by poor bile production, rising bilirubin and liver enzyme levels and a severe coagulopathy.PGE1 was infused and there was recovery of graft function. The need for urgent re-transplantation was avoided.PGE1 may have an important role in liver transplantation considering the logistic difficulties of obtaining donor livers for urgent transplantation in Australia.