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Damaged human liver treated and transplanted into patient for the first time

The damaged organ was treated on a special machine which provided a continuous blood substitute

Zaina Alibhai
Wednesday 01 June 2022 14:59 BST
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<p>There is an increasing gap between the demand for liver transplants and those available </p>

There is an increasing gap between the demand for liver transplants and those available

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A human liver has been successfully transplanted after being preserved outside of the host’s body for three days.

The damaged organ was treated on a special machine which provided a continuous blood substitute at normal body temperature before being put into the recipient.

The technique - known as ex situ normothermic perfusion - is better than the traditional way of putting it on ice, and may save lives by stretching the viability of the organ, researchers say.

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