Ann Liver Transplant.  2022 Nov;2(2):117-120. 10.52604/alt.22.0024.

Split liver transplantation for two adult recipients: A collective review of Korean experience

• Park JI
• Chung YK

• KMID: 2560905
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52604/alt.22.0024

Abstract

Split liver transplantation for two adult patients (SLT2A) is a procedure that involves donor liver split into two hemi-liver grafts for two patients. Since one whole liver graft can be shared between two adult recipients, SLT2A could increase the number of available grafts and reduce the waitlist time and mortality. Considering that principles and techniques of liver splitting are similar between adult living donor liver transplantation and SLT2A, accumulation of experience on living donor liver transplantation has greatly influenced the development of SLT2A in Korea. Therefore, we reviewed the Korean experience of SLT2A to delineate the characteristics of SLT2A in Korea. The first case report of SLT2A in Korea was successfully performed through in situ splitting in 2003. In Asan Medical Center, 16 cases of adult SLT2A from 8 deceased donors were performed using in situ splitting technique from 2003 to 2014. Patient and graft survival rates did not differ significantly between SLT2A and whole liver transplantation groups. Eight cases of SLT2A have been performed in Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital since 2017. Of them, two died. In conclusion, SLT2A is a feasible option to expand door pools under selected situations of deceased donor liver transplantation in current setting of Korea.

Keyword

Deceased donor; Liver transplantation; Liver splitting; Liver transection; Complication