Living related liver transplantation in children: a report of the first 58 recipients at the University of Chicago.

From November 1989 58 living donor liver transplants were performed in 56 children ranging in age from 1 month to 13 years. Donors were adults (> 18 years of age) with a close relationship to the recipient. ABO compatibility and normal donor health were required. Liver segments two and three were transplanted in 53 cases, and segments two, three and four in 5 cases. Actuarial patient survival at 2 years was 89%; graft survival was 76%. Six recipients died: four secondary to sepsis and two because of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. The main cause of graft loss was arterial thrombosis, occurring in six patients (10%). Since refinement of the technique, there have been few donor complications, but these have included a biliary tract injury and a hepatic artery thrombosis. Both donors are well, without long-term adverse sequelae. Overall, the outcome of living donor transplantation is excellent; morbidity has been encountered in a small number of donors.