The need for liver transplantation: a nationwide estimate based on consensus review

Air transportation of patients with end-stage liver disease to distant liver transplantation centers

“…1). The average distance traveled was 4660 miles (range, 1290-7400), average flight time was 9.5 hours (range, [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], the mean number of takeoffs and landings/travel was 3.6 (range, 2-6). Medical staff escorted 22 patients.…”

“…In this context it should be mentioned that transportation of harvested livers over relatively long distances using the University of Wisconsin solution is already possible for a number of years but is dependant on the existence of local expertise regarding transplantation setting. 26 The estimated annual local need for liver transplantation in Israel was assessed by Modan et al 4 to be approximately 100 cadaveric organs for a population of 6 million (not taking into account split liver technology or LRLT). Currently the local procurement system provides less than 50% of the estimated requirements, mainly through cadaveric whole organ donation (or split organs) and a small number of LRLTs.…”

“…4 The organ shortage and the unpredictability of organ availability on short notice often require transportation to centers abroad of patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) or patients with known chronic liver disease who developed an acute deterioration. In Israel, transplantation costs, including transportation, are fully reimbursed by the Israeli health insurance services.…”

History and Evolution of Liver Transplantation

“…This success has resulted in a disproportionate increase in demand of liver transplantation and the appearance of a major problem of shortage of available donor organs, leading to a prolonged waiting times and high mortality on the waiting list. [42] …”

Limits to liver transplantation in the UK

“…Carefully designed epidemiological studies of disease prevalence and severity for the main aetiological categories of chronic liver disease, as attempted in other countries,35 36 would provide a more precise estimate of the true need for liver transplantation. The rapidity with which better therapeutic agents are introduced for slowing the progression of liver disease will be another factor affecting the demand for liver grafting in the coming years.…”