Split liver transplantation and risk to the adult recipient: Analysis using matched pairs

BACKGROUND: The technique of liver splitting is an effective way of increasing the donor pool and reducing pediatric waiting list mortality. But the procedure is still not fully accepted because of concerns that it may cause complications in adult recipients. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-nine adult recipients of primary extended right split liver transplantations (SLTs) were matched to recipients of whole liver transplantations (WLTs) according to the following criteria: 1) United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) status, 2) donor age, 3) recipient age, 4) total cold ischemic time, 5) indication for liver transplantation, 6) Child-Pugh class, and 7) year of transplantation. A WLT-recipient match was identified in 40 adult recipients of primary SLT. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of the recipients in our study were highly urgent cases (UNOS 1), and 85% were UNOS status 3-4. The 3- and 12-month patient survival rates after SIT and WLT were 82.5% and 77.1%, and 92.5% and 87.5%, respectively (log rank p = 0.358). The 3- and 12-month graft survival rates showed no significant difference in either group (80% and 74% in SLT and 87.5% and 77.4% in WLT [log rank p = 0.887]). The rates of primary nonfunction, primary poor function, biliary and vascular complications, intra- and postoperative blood transfusion, and intensive care stay were comparable for SIT and WIT. CONCLUSIONS: SLT, using the extended right hepatic lobe, does not notably differ from WLT with regard to initial graft function, postoperative complications, or patient and graft survival. Based on this, the liver can be considered a paired organ, and mandatory splitting of good-quality livers can be recommended. (C) 2002 by the American College of Surgeons.