Living-related liver transplantation in children at Saint-Luc University Clinics: a seven year experience in 77 recipients.
The Brussels series of living related liver transplantation (LRLT) in 77 children (< 15 years) is reviewed. Median (range) recipient age at liver transplantation was 1.1 year (0.4-13.1). The main indication for LT was biliary atresia in 55/77 cases (71%). The living-related donor was one of the parents in 74 instances. Hepatic segments 2-3 (n = 67) or 2-3-4 (n = 10) were implanted orthotopically, with a median (range) graft weight to recipient body weight ratio of 3.17% (0.91-8.08). No severe complications or significant long-term sequelae were encountered in the living donors. One and five year survival rates were 92% and 89% for the patients, and 90% and 86% for the grafts, respectively. The retransplantation rate was 2/77 (2.6%), the indication being chronic rejection in both instances. In conclusion, LRLT is now a validated procedure in the living donors as well as in pediatric recipients with chronic or acute liver diseases. In the current context of organ shortage, it provides a valuable alternative to cadaveric LT.
Reding
R
R
Pediatric Liver Transplant Program, Department of Surgery, Saint-Luc University Clinics, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. reding@chex.ucl.ac.be
Chardot
C
C
Paul
K
K
Veyckemans
F
F
Van Obbergh
L
L
De Clety
S C
SC
Detaille
T
T
Clapuyt
P
P
Saint-Martin
C
C
Janssen
M
M
Lerut
J
J
Sokal
E
E
Otte
J B
JB
D000293:Adolescent; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D012086:Reoperation; D015996:Survival Rate; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution*