Pediatric liver transplantation in Hong Kong-a domain with scarce deceased donors

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to assess the outcome of live-donor liver transplantation for pediatric patients in a region with limited access to deceased donors. Patients and Methods: From September 1993 to September 2008, 78 pediatric patients aged between 73 days and 17 years (mean, 40 months) received 83 liver transplants. Sixty-two were living-related liver transplantations (LRLTs), and 21 were deceased-donor liver transplantations (DDLTs). The mean follow-up period was 6.5 years. The prospectively collected data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates of patients and grafts were 91%, 90%, 88% and 87%, 86%, 83%, respectively. The survival rates of LRLT patients and DDLT patients were 89%, 89%, 87%, and 90%, 86%, 86%, respectively (P = .58). The survival rates of patients aged 12 months or younger and patients older than 12 months were 95%, 92%, 90% and 90%, 90%, 87%, respectively (P = .65). One live donor developed temporary peroneal palsy, and another developed lung collapse (3%, 2/62). All live donors resumed their normal activities with no difficulty. Conclusion: With meticulous surgical techniques and postoperative care, it is justifiable to accept donated livers from voluntary live donors for transplantation to save pediatric patients in a place with scarce deceased donors. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.