Study of Oral Rifaximin Around Surgery to Reduce Early Liver Graft Problems in Adults Receiving Living Donor Liver Transplants

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effect of perioperative oral rifaximin on early graft dysfunction EGD in adults undergoing living donor liver transplant. EGD is a condition where the new liver graft shows poor function soon after transplantation, which can lead to higher risks of graft loss or death. Factors influencing EGD include graft size, injury during transplantation, recipients metabolic needs, and blood flow to the graft. Previous studies showed that rifaximin, an antibiotic, reduced EGD by 50% in deceased donor liver transplants, but this study focuses on living donor liver transplants and uses rifaximin around the time of surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either rifaximin 550 mg twice daily starting two weeks before surgery through seven days after surgery along with standard post-operative care, or standard care alone without rifaximin. The study plans to enroll 100 adult living donor liver transplant recipients and will be conducted openly without blinding. Both groups will receive the same standard post-transplant care at the study center. During the study, participants will be monitored for early graft function and complications for nine months. Researchers will assess markers of ischemia reperfusion injury and inflammation, track infectious complications, graft loss related to EGD, and in-hospital mortality. The primary outcome is the effect of rifaximin on early graft dysfunction within nine months. Safety will be monitored, with expected side effects including possible vomiting, headache, dizziness, or nausea. The total study duration will cover preoperative treatment, surgery, and follow-up assessments.

Effect of Perioperative Oral Rifaximin on Early Graft Dysfunction in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant