Living-donor liver transplantation at Tokyo University

One hundred fourteen living-donor liver transplants were performed at Tokyo University hospital from 1996-2000, including 66 children and 48 adults. Most (86%) of the children were transplanted for biliary atresia, whereas adults were more often transplanted for primary biliary cirrhosis (40%) or liver cirrhosis (23%) due to hepatitis or other unknown causes. Among children, 52% received the left lobe lateral segment, 23% an extended lateral segment and 21% the left lobe. The graft volume to standard liver ratio averaged 84%. Among adults, 79% received a left lobe; however, we have used the right lobe for most recent cases (21%) to provide sufficient volume. Parents donated to the pediatric recipients about 95% of the time, but a variety of family members donated for the adult transplants. The actual overall 3- and 5-year patient survival rates were 88.6% and 87.7%, respectively, and were slightly higher in children than adults. The results are comparable to those achieved with cadaver livers.