Living-donor liver transplantation in adults

Abstract 

End-stage liver disease is being treated by liver transplantation. Despite legislative and social efforts, the number of cadaveric organs suitable for liver transplantation has not grown to match the increasing demand. The insufficient number of grafts results in high mortality for patients on the waiting list and prolonged waiting times with increasing morbidity. Following the success of living related-donor segmental liver transplantation in children, an amended concept has been applied to the adult patients. The early experience with this technique, the process concerning the selection of the donor for the recipient, the risks of the donor, and the future evolution of living related-donor liver transplantation are the topics of this article.