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.