IN-SITU SPLITTING OF THE LIVER IN THE HEART-BEATING CADAVERIC ORGAN DONOR FOR TRANSPLANTATION IN 2 RECIPIENTS

Split-liver transplantation (SLT) presents the opportunity to transplant children with size-matched organs without reducing the adult cadaveric liver pool. For reasons described below, SLT has not as yet gained general acceptance. The possible inferior quality of the right graft seems to be the major problem, hampering the general application of SLT. In an attempt to overcome this, the authors have developed a new concept, based on the technique of living-related liver donation, for splitting livers. This report describes the first case performed and discusses the rationale of the in situ split liver procedure. © 1995 by Williams and Wilkins.