Emergent right lobe adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplantation for high model for end-stage liver disease score severe hepatitis

The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of emergency right lobe adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score severe hepatitis. Consecutive 10 high MELD score severe hepatitis patients underwent emergency right lobe adult-to-adult LDLT in our hospital from April to December 2007. The MELD score was 34.50 ± 2.088. The outcomes of these recipients were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, eight cases of ABO blood group were identical and two cases compatible, one case was Rh negative. Two recipients died and the rest of the recipients and all donors are safe; perioperative and 2-year survival rate was 80%. The mean graft-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) was 1.27% ± 0.25%, and graft volume to recipient standard liver volume ratio (GV/ESLVR) was 56.7% ± 6.75%. Of the 10 patients, three received right lobe grafts with middle hepatic vein (MHV), four without MHV, three without MHV but followed by V and VIII hepatic vein outflow reconstruction. An encouraging outcome was achieved in this group: elevated serum creatinine, serum endotoxin, decreased serum prothrombin activity, and Tbil returned to normal on postoperative days 3, 7, 14, and 28, respectively. One-year survival rate was 80%. Outcomes of emergency right lobe adult-to-adult LDLT for high MELD score severe hepatitis were fairly encouraging and acceptable. Emergency right lobe adult-to-adult LDLT is an effective and life-saving modality for high MELD score acute liver failure patients following severe hepatitis.