Pii: S0041-1345(00)02357-5

ALTHOUGH University of Wisconsin (UW) solution remains the most commonly used for all intrabdominal organs, Celsior solution, widely utilized in clinical setting for the preservation of intrathoracic organs, has been recently proposed as a cold-storage solution for abdominal organs. One of the reasons for focusing on abdominal preservation with Celsior is to proceed with one solution for the preservation of all organs. Experimental studies have shown excellent results in kidney, liver, and tissue preservation in alternative to the U W. Celsior, due to its peculiar physical properties (osmotic pressure), is able to limit the edema that develops rapidly after cold ischemia and able to prevent free-radical mediated tissue injury by its biochemical characteristics. Its clinical use in these organs is now under investigation in different centers. The only report about Celsior solution for human liver preservation experiences in a small, uncontrolled series, and the study suggested that this solution is appropriate for clinical use in liver preservation. A prospective, randomized, multicenter open clinical trial was instituted to compare preservation properties of the two solutions in liver transplantation, and a detailed report of the completed study will be made at a later date. This preliminary report contains the data collected from a single center to prove the equivalence of both solutions with regard to initial functioning and shortand long-term graft and patient survival.