DAMAGE TO THE BILIARY TRACT DURING PRESERVATION

Abstract
Biliary complications following liver transplantation continue to present major difficulties. Damage to the biliary tract was reported after preservation of the liver before transplantation. Studies in the rabbit are reported which confirm the extensive biliary autolysis during preservation. This damage is directly related to the presence of bile in the biliary tract and can be reduced by the washout of bile and biliary perfusion.