RT Journal
A1 Corry RJ
T1 AN interesting intraoperative decision
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1999
FD August 1
VO 134
IS 8
SP 901
OP 901
DO 10.1001/archsurg.134.8.901
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.134.8.901
AB 
ONE NIGHT in March 1984, we were in the process of removing a donor liver for transplantation from a young trauma victim. After some dissection in the porta hepatis, we learned that the potential recipient had an electrocardiogram on admission that showed recent myocardial injury. Because the recipient did not have terminal liver disease, we attempted to place the liver at another center rather than risk further myocardial injury to the patient during the operation. There was no national system of organ sharing at this time, and placement of organs was usually done on an ad hoc basis from surgeon to surgeon. Our attempts in this case were unsuccessful. Having completed most of the dissection in the porta hepatis, we elected to shift gears and transplant the pancreas instead.