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Living related liver transplantation in children
N Heaton1, W Faraj, H Vilca Melendez
1Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK. nigel.heaton@kingsch.nhs.uk
Insights
Living related liver transplantation (LRLT) in children demonstrates excellent long-term outcomes. This pediatric liver transplant approach offers high patient and graft survival rates, making it a successful treatment for end-stage liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Transplantation Medicine
- Hepatology
Background:
- Living related liver transplantation (LRLT) is a key treatment for pediatric end-stage liver disease.
- This study reviews a single-center's experience with left lateral segment LRLT in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of pediatric living donor liver transplantation.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of left lateral segment grafts in pediatric recipients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 50 left lateral segment LRLT procedures performed since 1993.
- Analysis of patient demographics, donor characteristics, and perioperative outcomes.
- Evaluation of long-term patient and graft survival, as well as complication rates.
Main Results:
- No donor mortality and low donor morbidity were observed.
- Excellent patient survival rates of 98%, 96%, and 96% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively.
- Graft survival rates were 98%, 96%, and 93% at 1, 3, and 5 years, with low incidences of vascular and biliary complications.
Conclusions:
- Living related liver transplantation provides favorable long-term results in pediatric patients.
- Left lateral segment grafts are effective for pediatric liver transplantation.
- LRLT is a safe and successful option for children requiring liver transplants.
Background:
Living related liver transplantation (LRLT) has become established for treating children with end-stage liver disease. The aim of this study was to review a single-centre experience of left lateral segment liver transplants from living donors in children.
Methods:
Fifty left lateral segment LRLT procedures have been performed since 1993. There were 17 girls and 33 boys, of median age 1.5 years (range 0.5 to 13 years), with a median weight of 10 (range 0.7-44) kg. Donors included 23 mothers, 26 fathers and one uncle, with a median age of 33 (range 19-46) years.
Results:
At a median follow-up of 86 months, there was no donor mortality and low morbidity. Patient and graft survival rates were 98, 96 and 96 per cent, and 98, 96 and 93 per cent at 1, 3 and 5 years respectively. Three children had a second transplant at a median of 9 years after the first. The incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis, portal vein thrombosis and biliary complications was 6, 4 and 14 per cent respectively.
Conclusion:
Living related liver transplantation has good long-term results in children.
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