LIVER SPLITTING AND LIVING DONOR TECHNIQUES

Split liver transplantation (SLT) and living related transplantation ( LRT) have been developed following advancements in liver surgery. In e xperienced hands they can yield results comparable to full organ liver transplantation. They are today a reality which has to be implemented and used more widely. LRT is the best procedure available and should be the method of choice despite the high success of SLT. Any method sa fely enlarging the pool of donors has to be utilized, especially in vi ew of the possible future application for adults. The procedures shoul d be initially performed and tested in centres specialized in liver tr ansplantation and liver surgery, with the aim of making the techniques more widely available in the future. High ethical standards are requi red to perform LRT. In the short term, SLT and LRT are the methods mor e apt to increase the organ pool and thus decrease pre-transplant mort ality both in children and adults.