The role of split-liver transplantation (SLT) for two adult recipients is still a matter of debate, and no agreement exists on indications, surgical techniques, and results. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the outcome of our series of SLT. From May 1999 to December 2006, 16 patients underwent SLT at our unit. We used 9 full right grafts (segments 5-8) and 7 full left grafts (segments 1-4). The splitting procedure was always carried out in situ with a fully perfused liver. Postoperative complications were recorded in 8 (50%) patients: 5 (55%) in full right grafts and 3 (43%) in full left grafts. No one was retransplanted. After a median follow-up of 55.82 months (range, 0.4-91.2), 5 (31%) patients died, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rate for patients and grafts was 69%. We considered as a control group for the global outcome 232 whole liver transplantations performed at our unit in the same period of time. Postoperative complications were recorded in 53 (23%) patients, and after a median follow-up of 57.37 months (mean, 55.11; range, 1-102.83), the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall patient survival was 87%, 82%, and 80%, respectively. In conclusion, SLT for two adult recipients is a technically demanding procedure that requires complex logistics and surgical teams experienced in both liver resection and transplantation. Although the reported rate of survival might be adequate for such a procedure, more efforts have to be made to improve the short-term outcome, which is inadequate in our opinion. The true feasibility of SLT for two adults has to be considered as still under investigation.

The main aim of this article is to establish the actual prevalence of renal vein variations (circumaortic renal vein, retroaortic renal vein, double renal vein), and to increase awareness about them. To this purpose, we have performed a meta-analysis of prevalence, using the MetaXL package, We included 105 articles in the final analysis of prevalence, of which 88 contained data about retroaortic renal vein, 84 – about circumaortic renal vein, and 51 - about multiple renal veins. The overall prevalence for retroaortic renal vein was 3% (CI:2.4–3.6%), for circumaortic renal vein − 3.5% (CI:2.8–4.4%), and for multiple renal veins - 16.7% (14.3–19.2%), much higher on the right 16.6 (14.2–19.1%) than on the left side 2.1 (1.3–3.2%). The results were relatively homogenous between studies, with only a minor publication bias overall.

Organoids are 3D biological structures constructed from stem cells in vitro. They partially mimic the function of real organs. Although the number of articles detailing this technology has increased in recent years, papers debating their ethical issues are few. In addition, many of such articles outline a mere summary of potential ethical concerns associated with organoids, although some have focused on consciousness assessment or organoid use in cystic fibrosis treatment. This article seeks to evaluate the moral status of cerebral organoids and to determine under which conditions their use should be allowed from a bioethical standpoint. We will present an overview of recent steps in developing highly advanced cerebral organoids, followed by an analysis of their ethics based on three factors: human origin, a specific biological threshold (which, once crossed, grants an entity moral status), and the potential to generate human beings. We will also make practical recommendations for researchers working in this biological field.