Latest development in split liver transplantation

Surg Technol Int. 2004:13:183-9.

Abstract

Currently, orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) represents the treatment of choice for most end-stage liver diseases. Advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapy have markedly increased its success. However, the main obstacle in LT remains the lack of donor organs with a current mortality rate for patients on the waiting list of up to 20%. This chapter focuses on developments in SLT techniques and living-donor LT to alleviate this problem. SLT yields a net gain of organs, in that it uses one organ to save either an adult and a child, or two adults. The initially used technique of ex-situ splitting is being replaced progressively by the in-situ splitting technique, which yields better preserved grafts. The latest step has been the introduction of living-donor segmental LT. The systematic combination of both techniques may lead to a further reduction of mortality for patients on the waiting list for LT.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Graft Rejection
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Liver / surgery*
  • Liver Failure / diagnosis
  • Liver Failure / surgery*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Liver Transplantation / mortality
  • Liver Transplantation / trends
  • Male
  • Perioperative Care
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tissue Donors
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / standards*
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / trends
  • Waiting Lists