Open AccessCurrent status and perspectives in split liver transplantation
Author(s) -
Andrea Lauterio,
Stefano Di Sandro,
Giacomo Concone,
Riccardo De Carlis,
Alessandro Giacomoni,
Luciano De Carlis
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v21.i39.11003
Subject(s) - liver transplantation , economic shortage , cadaveric spasm , organ donation , medicine , transplantation , organ transplantation , general surgery , intensive care medicine , surgical procedures , surgery , linguistics , philosophy , government (linguistics)
Growing experience with the liver splitting technique and favorable results equivalent to those of whole liver transplant have led to wider application of split liver transplantation (SLT) for adult and pediatric recipients in the last decade. Conversely, SLT for two adult recipients remains a challenging surgical procedure and outcomes have yet to improve. Differences in organ shortages together with religious and ethical issues related to cadaveric organ donation have had an impact on the worldwide distribution of SLT. Despite technical refinements and a better understanding of the complex liver anatomy, SLT remains a technically and logistically demanding surgical procedure. This article reviews the surgical and clinical advances in this field of liver transplantation focusing on the role of SLT and the issues that may lead a further expansion of this complex surgical procedure.