title: Heidelberg's first experiences in establishing a living-donation liver transplantation programme.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since indications for liver transplantation (LTx) have increased and the shortage of brain dead transplant organs continues, an increase in deaths related to extended waiting periods can be documented. Living-related LTx (LRLTx) is a good alternative that can help compensate the shortness of organs for transplantation and can reduce waiting periods and deaths related to a long waiting list. We started a LRLTx programme at the transplantation centre, Department of Surgery at the University of Heidelberg to increase our transplantation activities. In this article we present our primary experiences and protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2002 to June 2003, three LRLTx were performed. Indications in recipients were hepatocellular carcinoma in two cases and liver cirrhoses due to hepatitis B in one patient. Two patients received the right liver (segments V-VIII) of their donors. One patient received the complete liver collected as a Domino LTx. All liver transplants were performed without the use of a venous bypass.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The peri- and post-operative courses of our donors were without complications, except for an infected intraabdominal bilioma, which was drained interventionally. The donors were fully able to work after the operation. The coordinative and logistical work should not be underestimated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This therapy should only be offered and performed in centres with excellent expert knowledge in liver and transplantation surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Arianeb
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehrabi
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schemmer
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friess
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Eike
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Markus W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Büchler
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uhl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016730:Program Development