Optimized results of the liver partition program for split-liver transplantation

Abstract

Introduction: Split liver transplantation is a procedure performed throughout Europe. In 2018 in Catalonia, the distribution of donors was redefined, being potential candidates for SPLIT all those under 35-years and it was made flexible the adult selection for the right graft. The study aim is to evaluate the effect of this modifications on the use of Split donors on the adult/pediatric waiting lists, as well as to evaluate the post-transplant results of adults who received a Split donor.

Methods: Observational and retrospective study; 2 data collection periods "PRE" (2013-2017) and "POST" (2018-2021). The adults recipients results were analyzed by a propensity score matching.

Results: In the first period 3 donors were registered and 3 pediatric patients and 2 adults recieved a transplant. In the POST period, 24 donations with liver bipartition were made, performing the transplant in 19 adults and 24 childrens. When comparing the adults waiting lists, a significant decrease was evidenced, both for adults (p = 0,0001) and on the children's waiting list (p = 0,0004), and up to 3 times there were no recipients on the pediatric waiting list. No significant differences between hospital morbidity or mortality or overall survival were observed in the group of adult recipients of Split grafts.

Conclusions: The flexibility in the selection of the adult recipient and the new distribution of donors makes possible to increase the bipartition rate, reducing the pediatric waiting list without worsening the adults results transplant recipients or their permanence on the waiting list.

Keywords: Liver transplantation split; Trasplante hepático split.