Living donor liver transplantation

Abstract

Although LDLT is still evolving, it has become the most effective alternative to DDLT. Proven or potential benefit of LDLT include the superior quality of the allograft despite the smaller size, selection of proper timing for transplantation and a reduced waiting time, which prevents waiting list mortality.

Death of a living liver donor: Opening Pandora's box

“…Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an established modality of treatment for end-stage liver disease 1 and is the predominant form of transplantation in most Asian countries. 2 The benefit to the recipient, who would otherwise die waiting for a cadaveric organ, is undisputed.…”

Revisiting the Safety of Living Liver Donors by Reassessing 441 Donor Hepatectomies: Is a Larger Hepatectomy Complication-Prone?

“…Since the initial cases of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) were performed (1,2), more than 20 years have already passed and LDLT has become one of the standard therapeutic modalities for patients with end stage liver disease (3)(4)(5)(6) as well as hepatocellular carcinoma (7)(8)(9). The safety of living liver donors is of paramount importance and this issue has been aggressively discussed so far (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

An Overview of Current Status, Recent Techniques and Challenges of Liver Transplantation

“…LDLT is budding as an important surgical option for patients with end stage liver disease, such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma often attributable to long-term alcohol abuse, long-term untreated hepatitis C infection, and long-term untreated hepatitis B infection. The potential benefit of LDLT include the superior quality of the allograft despite the smaller size, selection of proper timing for transplantation and a reduced waiting time, which prevents waiting list mortality (Jeon & Lee, 2010). It serves as a best alternative of life saving procedure when a deceased donor liver is not available.…”

“…The concept of LDLT is evolved from (1) the remarkable regenerative capacities of the human liver (Pomfret et al, 2001) and (2) the widespread shortage of cadaveric livers for patients awaiting transplant (Jeon & Lee, 2010). LDLT is budding as an important surgical option for patients with end stage liver disease, such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma often attributable to long-term alcohol abuse, long-term untreated hepatitis C infection, and long-term untreated hepatitis B infection.…”