Successful Liver Transplant From a Donor With Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Sickle cell disease patients have routinely been excluded from liver transplant donation due to patients historically manifesting liver disease themselves. Marginal donors have become increasingly more welcome given organ shortage. Our institution performed a liver transplant in a recipient with cholangiocarcinoma using a sickle cell disease donor liver. Postoperatively, patient progressed well and is now cancer free. Pathology indicated sickle cells, and hemosiderin present at time of transplant had largely resolved by repeat biopsy on postoperative day 5. We conclude that sickle cell disease patients should be considered as donors for liver transplant in the appropriate setting.