Important Things to Know About A Split Liver Transplant

by Shikha Dhawan Blogger | Writer

Split Liver Transplant is a kind of surgery in which a lobe of the liver from one donor is used to replace the entire liver that is damaged in a recipient. The liver is unique when it comes to its natural ability to regenerate, leading to successful surgical outcomes for this transplant. For a split liver transplant, an organ is removed from the donor's healthy liver and then the child's damaged liver (hepatic parenchyma) is removed. The donor's healthy and functioning part of the liver is then attached to your child's liver and functions as before, replacing your child's diseased and dysfunctional part of the liver. The donated segment also gets connected with your existing hepatic biliary tree via its hepatic artery, hepatic portal vein and common bile duct. The recipient now has two-thirds of his/her original liver. This procedure replaces the failing liver so that the patient can lead a normal life once again. Going through a liver transplant in Delhi is not so easy. It requires utmost care and patience, and a thorough knowledge of things.

Who shares the liver?

This is a living donor transplant and is often referred to as adult-to-adult or adult-to-child donation. In this process, a portion of the liver is removed from the donor and transplanted into two different recipients. The smaller piece of the liver goes to a child recipient, and the larger piece goes to an adult recipient.

Why does a Child need a Liver Transplant?

A liver transplant is the only solution for a child to survive, who has a damaged or failing liver. In children, the most common cause of liver damage is biliary atresia which makes the bile ducts non-functional and non-communicable. The liver damage may result from autoimmune disease, rare metabolic disorder, adverse reaction to medications and infection. A growing number of children is undergoing liver transplants but it is a complicated process that requires a lot of attention and care to both the patient and the organ donor as well.