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Ethical Issues in Split Versus Whole Liver Transplantation
Author(s) -
Vulchev Anntim,
Roberts John P.,
Stock Peter G.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2004.00630.x
Subject(s) - medicine , liver transplantation , ethical dilemma , dilemma , transplantation , united network for organ sharing , ethical issues , waiting list , intensive care medicine , health care rationing , surgery , engineering ethics , law , health care , philosophy , epistemology , political science , engineering
Technologic advances in split liver transplantation have resulted in an ethical dilemma. Although splitting a liver maximizes the number of patients receiving an organ transplant, it may increase the morbidity and mortality for the individual patient receiving the split liver. This essay explores the ethical issues involved in the allocation of split livers, and proposes general policy guidelines for the allocation of split versus whole liver transplants.