Development of the Allocation System for Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

Abstract
As the number of pre- and post-transplant solid organ recipients continues to grow, it becomes important for all physicians to have an understanding of the process of organ procurement and allocation. In the United States, the current system for allocation and transplantation of human solid organs has been heavily influenced by the experience in deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). This review highlights the significant changes that have occurred over the past 10 years in DDLT, with specific attention to the impact of the Model for Endstage Liver Disease (MELD) score on organ allocation and pre- and post-transplant survival.