Unsuspected bile duct paucity in donors for living-related liver transplantation: Two case reports

Alagille's syndrome is a common cause of liver dis ease in children and may lead to the need for orthotopic liver transplantation Alagille's syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, with variable penetration, an d may also be present in patients' parents, who may be considered potential donors for living-related transplantation We report here on two cases in w hich the living-related donors for children with Alagille's syndrome had no Liver function abnormalities or characteristic features of Alagille's synd rome. In both cases, the operation for living-related donation had to be ab orted because of a paucity of bile ducts discovered intraoperatively. Given the variable presentation of Alagille's syndrome, we believe that it is ne cessary preoperatively to evaluate the biliary system of family members who are potential living-related donors for patients with this condition.