Groundbreaking Dual-Graft Living Donor Liver Transplant Utilizing Full Right and Left Lateral Lobe Grafts: A Landmark Debut in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Exp Clin Transplant. 2024 Jan;22(1):71-74. doi: 10.6002/ect.2023.0346.

Abstract

We introduce and documentthe first case of dual-graft living donor liver transplant, at the King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in which both a full right lobe and a left lateral segment graft were used. Our patient, a 63-year-old male, was diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma involving segment 7 and selected for living donor liver transplant. Donor selection, graft volume assessment, surgical planning, procurement, and implantation of the dual grafts were meticulously executed. The first donor had an estimated right lobe volume of 639 mL, yielding an estimated graft-to-recipient weight ratio of 0.68. A liver biopsy revealed 3% macrosteatosis.The second donor's contribution comprised a left lateral segment volume of 280 mL.The decision was made for dual-graft liver transplant. With both grafts, the volume totaled 919 mL, representing graft-torecipient weight ratio of 0.98. Surgical techniques involved anastomoses of hepatic veins, portal veins, arteries, and biliary reconstruction. Both donors and the recipient were closely monitored posttransplant. After the procedure, both donors recovered swiftly and were discharged 4 days postoperation. The recipient experienced a smooth postoperative course, spending 4 days in the intensive care unit and discharged on day 26 posttransplant. This pioneering dual-graft living donor liver transplant showed successful outcomes and highlighted the potential of this approach to expand the limited donor pool, particularly in regions relying predominantly on living donors, like Saudi Arabia. This innovative surgical technique offers a promising solution to address the growing demand for liver transplants while ensuring safety for individual donors and maintaining acceptable recipient outcomes. Further exploration and adoption of dual-graft liver transplant could significantly affectthe field of livertransplant globally.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Liver / blood supply
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / surgery
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / surgery
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Liver Transplantation* / methods
  • Living Donors
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease*
  • Saudi Arabia