Living related liver transplantation in adults.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of living related liver transplantation (LRLT) in adult patients and to assess graft size disparity and graft regeneration.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Although LRLT has been accepted as an optional life-saving procedure for pediatric patients with end-stage liver disease, the feasibility of LRLT for adult patients has not been reported with reference to a clinical series.

METHODS

Adult-to-adult LRLT was performed using whole left lobar grafts in 13 patients (5 with primary biliary cirrhosis, 6 with familial amyloid polyneuropathy, 1 with biliary atresia, and 1 with citrullinemia). The 13 donors comprised 5 husbands, 3 sons, 2 sisters, 2 fathers, and 1 mother. The ratio of the graft volume to standard liver volume (GV/SV ratio) was calculated for use as a parameter of graft size disparity.

RESULTS

Although the liver graft was markedly small for size (GV/SV ratio 32%-59% at the time of LRLT), none of the 13 patients developed postoperative liver failure. Eleven of the patients are still alive and well with satisfactory graft function 2 to 35 months after LRLT. Graft liver volume increased rapidly after LRLT and approximated the standard liver volume with time.

CONCLUSIONS

Our LRLT program for adult patients has produced good results. LRLT in adults can be indicated for selected donor-recipient combinations.