4. Outcome of living donor liver transplantation between genetically related and unrelated donors: experience of 1372 adult living donor liver transplantations from a single centre

Abstract

Background and Aims: There is limited data on outcomes from genetically related or unrelated donors in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods: the study included LDLT recipients from June 2010 to October 2017, which were followed till Feb 2018. Immunosuppression protocol consisted of Calcineurin inhibitors (mainly Tacrolimus), Mycophenolate and short-term steroids. The genetically related donors (n = 756) included parents/children/siblings while genetically unrelated donors included spouse or relative of spouse (n = 616). Two hundred and seven recipients were not included in final analysis due to uncertainty of genetic relation (uncles/nephew/niece/cousins). Results: The study cohort included 1372 LDLT recipients, age 49 ± years. The donors in genetically related group were younger (31 ± 10 versus 36 ± 9 years in genetically unrelated group, p = 0.000) and there were significantly more females in genetically unrelated group (47.6% versus 67.1%, p = 0.000). Chronic rejection was significantly more common in genetically unrelated group [28 (4.5%) versus 9 (1.1%) in genetically related group, p = 0.000)]; there was no significant difference regarding acute cellular rejection, biliary strictures, CMV viremia or vascular complications between 2 groups. There was no statistical difference in survival between 2 groups at a median follow up 37 (15–60) months. Conclusions: The outcome of LDLT is similar between genetically related and unrelated donors although chronic rejection was found to be significantly more common in genetically unrelated donors. The authors have none to declare.