Largest Single-Center Study of Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Newswise — A study released today at the 68th Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology showed that living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is associated with a lower rate of serious complications and rejection and may have a slightly higher survival than orthotopic liver transplant, which uses livers from cadavers. This study represents the largest single-center investigation of LDLT in the United States.

Of the 92 patients who underwent LDLT at Rochester, 92 percent survived 6 months, and 86 percent did not experience significant complications. Study authors Bradford Sampson, M.D., Parvez S. Mantry, M.D., and Uma Sundaram, M.D., of the Digestive Diseases Unit at the University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) also found that while the national rate for vascular complications was 9.8 percent, their corresponding rate was only 2.2 percent.

"A critical shortage of cadaveric organs for adults in need of liver transplants has lead to the development of living donor liver transplantation," explained Dr. Mantry.

The healthy donor must undergo an operation that takes several hours, and after surgery, the person may have to remain in the hospital for a week or longer. Eventually, the liver regenerates the part that was surgically removed. The recipient also undergoes a lengthy operation; first the diseased liver is removed and then the donor's healthy liver section is transplanted.

The ACG was formed in 1932 to advance the scientific study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the needs of clinical gastroenterology practitioners. Consumers can get more information on GI diseases through the following ACG-sponsored programs:· 1-800-978-7666 (free brochures on common GI disorders, including ulcer, colon cancer, gallstones, and liver disease)· 1-866-IBS-RELIEF and http://www.ibsrelief.org (free educational materials)· 1-800-HRT-BURN (free brochure and video on heartburn and GERD)· http://www.acg.gi.org (ACG's Web site)