Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Laparoscopic Anatomic S7+S8d Resection Preserving Inferior Right Hepatic Vein and S6 with Right Hepatic Vein Transection
Published on: December 30, 2025
Using the Clavien grading system to classify the complications of right hepatectomy in living donors
1Division of Liver Transplantation, West-China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Insights
Living donor right hepatectomy is a safe procedure for liver transplantation. The Clavien classification system effectively grades complications, with biliary issues being most common, though donor mortality was absent.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
- Transplant Surgery
- Surgical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Complication rates in living related liver donors after right hepatectomy vary significantly across institutions.
- Standardization of complication severity assessment is needed for accurate comparison.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize the Clavien classification system for defining and grading complications in living related liver donors.
- To assess the safety and complication profile of right hepatectomy in living liver donors.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 160 consecutive living donor right hepatectomies.
- Complications were stratified using the Clavien classification system for postoperative surgical complications.
Main Results:
- 52 living donors (32.5%) experienced perioperative complications.
- Complication rates: Grade 1 (18.1%), Grade 2 (6.3%), Grade 3a (5%), Grade 3b (3.1%).
- Biliary complications were the most frequent; no donor mortality occurred.
Conclusions:
- The Clavien grading system provides a useful framework for comparing surgical outcomes.
- Right hepatectomy in living donors is relatively safe, but minimizing complications remains a priority.
- Standardized grading aids in evaluating and improving donor safety in liver transplantation.
Introduction:
The ratios of complications for living related liver donors after right hepatectomy differ widely among numerous single institutions. This study sought to use the Clavien classification system to define and graded the severity of these complications.
Materials And Methods:
This study retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 160 consecutive living donor right hepatectomies performed between July 2002 and February 2008. Complications among living donors for liver transplantation after right hepatectomy were stratified according to the Clavien classification of postoperative surgical complications.
Results:
Fifty-two living donors displayed one or more perioperative complications Grade 1 complications were recorded in 18.1%; grade 2 in 6.3%; grade 3a in 5%; and grade 3b in 3.1%. Biliary complications were the most frequent. No donor mortality was present in this series.
Conclusions:
The Clavien grading system is useful to comparise surgical outcomes. This study demonstrated that donor right hepatectomy was a relatively safe procedure, but reducing donor complications after right hepatectomy has to be the first priority during the entire process of living related transplantation.
