Clinical Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 1, 2004; 10(19): 2854-2858
Published online Oct 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i19.2854
First two cases of living related liver transplantation with complicated anatomy of blood vessels in Beijing
Wen-Han Wu, Yuan-Lian Wan, Long Lee, Yin-Mo Yang, Yan-Ting Huang, Chao-Long Chen, Sheung-Tat Fan
Wen-Han Wu, Yuan-Lian Wan, Long Lee, Yin-Mo Yang, Yan-Ting Huang, Department of Surgery, The First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
Chao-Long Chen, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China
Sheung-Tat Fan, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Wen-Han Wu, Department of Surgery, The First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
Received: July 17, 2003
Revised: October 5, 2003
Accepted: October 12, 2003
Published online: October 1, 2004
Abstract

AIM: Living related liver transplantation (LRLT) has been developed in response to the paediatric organ donor shortage. Though it has been succeeded in many centers worldwide, the safety of the donor is still a major concern, especially in donors with anatomy variation. We succeeded in performing the first two cases of living related liver transplantation with complicated anatomy of blood vessels as a way to overcome cadaveric organ shortage in Beijing.

METHODS: Two patients, with congenital liver fibrosis and congenital biliary atresia were performed with living donor liver transplantation in our hospital and then followed up from November 12 to December 13, 2001. The two living donors, mother and father, were healthy aged 34 and 35 years. One right lobe (segment V, VI, VII, VIII) and one left lateral lobe (segment II and III) were used. The grafts weighed 394 g and 300 g. The ratio of graft weight to the standard liver volume (SLV) of donors was 68% and 27%. The graft weight to recipient body weight ratio was 3.2% and 4.4%. The graft weight to recipient estimated standard liver mass (ESLM) ratio was 63% and 85%. The two donors had complicated blood vessel variation.

RESULTS: Two patients undergone living donor liver transplantation had good results. Abnormal liver function with high bilirubin level appeared in a few days after operation, but liver function returned to normal one month after operation with bilirubin level almost decreased to near normal. No bleeding, thrombosis, infection and bile leakage occurred. One had an acute rejection and recovered. The two donors recovered in two weeks. One had slight fever because of a little collection in abdomen and recovered after paracentesis and drainage.

CONCLUSION: Living donor liver transplantation has been proved to be a good way that offers a unique opportunity of getting a timely liver graft as a response to shortage of pediatric donors, though it could be a technically difficult operation if there is anatomical variation.

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