Short- and long-term outcomes after living donor liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Living donor liver transplantation was first described as a way to alleviate the organ shortage. Extensive studies of both the prospective donor and the recipient are necessary to ensure successful outcome. In this paper we describe our results in 28 living donor liver transplantations from the perspective of the donor and the recipient.


METHODS
A prospective, longitudinal, observational, comparative study was conducted from April 1995 to October 2004, including 28 living donor liver transplantations.


RESULTS
After a mean follow-up time of 25.6 +/- 20.58 months, all donors are alive, showing normal liver function tests. All of them have been reincorporated into their normal lives. At the end of the study and after a mean follow-up time of 21.2 +/- 14.3 months, 86.3% of the adult recipients are alive. Actuarial recipient survivals at 6, 12, and 36 months were 86.36%. Actuarial mean survival time was 44 months (95% CI, 37 to 51). At the end of the study, 77.3% of the grafts are functioning. Actuarial graft survivals at 6, 12, and 36 months were 77.27%. Actuarial mean graft survival time was 32 months (95% CI, 25 to 39). The main complications were hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 2) and small for-size syndrome (n = 2). At a mean follow-up of 20.33 +/- 7.74 months, all pediatric recipients are alive. Actuarial recipient survivals at 12 and 36 months were 100% and actuarial graft survivals were 80%.


CONCLUSIONS
Living donor liver transplantation may increase the liver graft pool, and therefore reduce waiting list mortality. Nevertheless caution must be deserved to avoid surgical morbidity and mortality in with the donor the recipient.
Elola-Olaso
A Moreno
AM
Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. morenoalmudena@hotmail.com
Gonzalez
E Moreno
EM
Diaz
J C Meneu
JC
Garcia García
I
I
Segurola
C Loinaz
CL
Usera
M Abradelo
MA
Romero
C Jiménez
CJ
Perez-Saborido
B
B
Suarez
Y Fundora
YF
Oliva
M Cortina
MC
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D019520:Living Donors; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome