In situ split liver transplantation for two adult recipients

Background Modifications of the in situ split liver technique are needed fo r safe transplantation in two adult recipients with a single donor. Methods. The graft from a brain-dead donor, 187 cm tall and weighing 89 kg, was split in situ with a transection performed alone: the main portal fiss ure retaining the middle hepatic vein with the left graft. The right and le ft grafts, which weighed 985 and 760 g, respectively, were transplanted in two adult recipients weighing 70 and 56 kg, respectively, Results. Both recipients had minor intraoperative blood loss and were disch arged from intensive care on day 3, Both grafts were rapidly functional, an d the two patients were in excellent condition with normal liver function t ests 9 months after surgery. Conclusion. In situ split liver transplantation can be performed with the m iddle hepatic vein retained in the left graft to obtain a sufficient volume of the two grafts suitable for two adult recipients. This modification of the technique could expand the donor pool for adult recipients.