Africa’s first liver perfusion machine arrives
A major advancement in transplant medicine has been introduced at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Parktown, where a R2.7m liver perfusion machine has arrived.
A major development in liver transplantation has been introduced at the Parktown–based Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
The new technology allows donor livers to be preserved and assessed outside the body before transplantation, improving organ viability and potentially increasing the number of successful procedures.
Dr Sharan Rambarran, transplant surgeon, said the machine could reduce side effects associated with traditional ice storage and improve patient recovery.
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“This technology changes the level of information we have available before transplantation. Traditionally, organs are preserved on ice, and assessment is limited. Machine perfusion allows us to monitor how the liver is functioning outside the body.
Beyond the valuable information it provides, the machine can resuscitate the liver by delivering oxygen to the liver cells, creating the best metabolic environment outside the body,” he explained.
Professor Jerome Loveland, head of solid organ transplantation, said the machine enables medical experts to carefully monitor livers outside the body, creating improved conditions before surgery.
This helps transplant teams better assess organ suitability and avoid wasting donor livers in a country facing drastic shortages.
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“This technology will help us better assess donor organs and increase the number of livers that can safely be transplanted, while simultaneously improving results.
In a country where every donor organ matters, this will have a significant impact on organ utility and patient outcomes,” Loveland said.
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The technology was introduced at the medical centre in partnership with Surgeons for Little Lives, with support from sponsors such as Weelee, while local distributor Coligo Medical facilitated access to the XVIVO–manufactured system.
Dr Bilal Bobat, transplant hepatologist, emphasised the potential impact on survival rates and quality of life.
“Anything that helps us safely expand organ utilisation has the potential to directly impact survival and quality of life for patients and families facing end–stage liver disease.”
The first procedure using the machine is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
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