Dual grafts in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation: A single center experience in Taiwan

Abstract

Volume mismatch is encountered when a single live donor cannot provide adequate graft volume to the recipient with a remnant liver volume which is safe for donation. Our objective is to present our experience in living donor liver transplantation using dual grafts. Record review of 4 dual graft recipients was done. The results were compared with 122 consecutive patients who received a single right lobe. All dual graft recipients were surviving with satisfactory liver function at a median follow-up of 21 months. Two recipients received 1 right and 1 left lobe graft, while the other 2 recipients received 2 left lobe grafts. One donor developed biloma and was managed by percutaneous drainage. The first recipient required re-laparotomy for postoperative bleeding. The second recipient underwent re-laparotomy for bile leak. The third recipient developed grade II decubitus ulcers due to a prolonged sedentary position. When compared with recipients who received a single right lobe, the operative time was prolonged in the dual graft group. There was no apparent increase in the rate of vascular and biliary complications or the incidence of acute cellular rejection. Actuarial patient survivals were comparable in both groups. Dual graft transplantation provides sufficient volume in the recipient without jeopardizing donor safety.