Orthotopic liver transplantation with a reduced-size graft: an ideal compromise in pediatrics?

This study retrospectively reviewed the results of 81 orthotopic liver transplantations in 72 pediatric patients with either a full-size graft (n = 41) or a reduced-size graft (n = 40) during a 4-year period. Two types of liver reduction were used to obtain a left lobe graft (n = 30) or a left lateral segment graft (n = 10). The choice of the reduction technique was based on two criteria: the donor/recipient body weight ratio and the transverse size of the recipient's abdomen. The patients who underwent transplantation with a reduced-size graft were younger and smaller than those who received a full-size graft. The mortality rate of the candidates on the pediatric transplantation waiting list was 2.7% during the same period. The 3-year survival rate after elective transplantation was 85% and 75% in the full-size graft group and the reduced-size graft group, respectively (difference not significant). The use of reduced-size grafts was associated with higher amounts of red cell and fresh-frozen plasma transfusions after graft revascularization. The incidence of postoperative bleeding and bile leakage from the transected surface was low, whereas hepatic artery and biliary complications were less frequent in the reduced-size graft group than in the full-size graft group. At the time of follow-up, liver biochemical test results and quality of life were not different between the two groups. Despite the constraining technique and the increase in intraoperative blood loss, orthotopic liver transplantation with a reduced-size graft allows us to overcome the shortage of pediatric donors and improve the overall survival rate of children with end-stage liver disease.