Heidelberg's first experiences in establishing a living-donation liver transplantation programme.
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.
Mehrabi
Arianeb
A
Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Schemmer
Peter
P
Schmidt
Jan
J
Sauer
Peter
P
Friess
Helmut
H
Kraus
Thomas
T
Martin
Eike
E
Büchler
Markus W
MW
Uhl
Waldemar
W
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