Adults Split Liver Transplantation: Does HCV Infection Affects Long-Term Patient and Graft Survival?

Abstract

Introduction: Liver transplantation from bipartition (split-liver) arises from the need to expand the donor pool by the steady increase of patients on the waiting list. Material and methods: From April 1986 to December 2010, we have performed 64 split-liver transplantations. Thirty-nine transplants were carried out in adults: 17 in HCV recipients (Group A), and 22 in non-HCV recipients (Group B). Results: Both groups had similar demographic, pathological and donor features. In 7 cases we used the left lobe (LL) (17.8%): HCV in 4, and non-HCV in 3. We used the right lobe (RL) in 20 cases (51.3%): 10 in HCV, and 10 in non-HCV. In 12 cases we used segments IV-VIII (30.8%): 9 in HCV, and 3 in non-HCV. The cold and warm ischemia times were similar between both groups. Seven patients (41%) in group A and 8 patients (36.4%) in group B had complications after transplantation. Retransplantation was necessary in only 3 (7.6%) patients (1 HCV and 2 non-HCV). After a mean follow-up of 50 ± 42 months (1-114 months) 15 patients died (7 in group A and 8 in group B). Actuarial patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 83%, 64%, and 64%, in Group A; and 68%, 68%, and 62% in Group B, (p = 0.8). Actuarial graft survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 76.5%, 58.2%, and 58.2%, in Group A, and 68.2%, 68.2%, and 62%, in Group B (p = 0.5). Conclusions: When we use split-liver grafts in adult recipients, HCV infection does not influence over patient and graft survival after longterm follow-up.