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Despite a significant increase in utilization over the past decade, the number of donation after circulatory death (DCD) organs that are procured and transplanted in the United States (US) remains well below its potential. There is still room for expansion, as utilizing DCD organs to the fullest extent is currently the most viable solution to the persistent mismatch between supply and demand in transplantation. We convened a multidisciplinary transplantation summit to examine various aspects of DCD, with faculty members from around the world with clinical and academic interest in DCD donation and transplantation, including abdominal and cardiothoracic surgeons, organ procurement organization directors, hepatologists, and gastroenterologists. The conference focused on identifying barriers to DCD organ utilization and strategies to overcome these barriers. We divide the barriers to DCD utilization into three mains categories: (I) policy and process variation; (II) logistical and transportation challenges; and (III) higher risk perceptions related to DCD outcomes. For each barrier, we proposed a variety of solutions, providing an overview of the status of DCD donation in the US and suggestions on how to increase the use of DCD. There is a specific focus on ex situ machine perfusion, normothermic regional perfusion, and other opportunities to expand DCD utilization without negatively impacting recipient outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://hbsn.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/hbsn-23-503/coif). W.C.C. and G.T. serve as the unpaid editorial board members of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Nutrition. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2024 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is the technique of choice in selected patients for the treatment of liver tumors. The robotic approach is considered today the natural evolution of MIS. The application of the robotic technique in liver transplantation (LT) has been recently evaluated, especially in the living donation. The aim of this paper is to review the current role of the MIS and robotic donor hepatectomy in the literature and to evaluate the possible future implication in the transplant field., Methods: We conducted a narrative review using PubMed and Google Scholar for reports published so far, using the following keywords: minimally invasive liver surgery, laparoscopic liver surgery, robotic liver surgery, robotic living donation, laparoscopic donor hepatectomy and robotic donor hepatectomy., Results: Several advantages have been claimed in favor of robotic surgery: three-dimensional (3-D) imaging with stable and high-definition view; a more rapid learning curve than the laparoscopic one; the lack of hand tremors and the freedom of movements. Compared to open surgery, the benefits showed in the studies evaluating the robotic approach in the living donation are: less postoperative pain, the shorter period before returning to normal activity despite sustaining longer operation time. Furthermore, the 3-D and magnification view makes the technique excellent in distinguishing the right plane of transection, vascular and biliary anatomy, associated with high precision of the movements and a better bleeding control (essential for donor safety) and lower rate of vascular injury., Conclusions: The current literature does not fully support the superiority of the robotic approach versus laparoscopic or open method in living donor hepatectomy. Robotic donor hepatectomy performed by teams with high expertise and in properly selected living donors is safe and feasible. However, further data are necessary to evaluate properly the role of robotic surgery in the field of living donation., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://hbsn.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/hbsn-21-115/coif). GT serves as the unpaid editorial board member of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Nutrition. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Hepatobiliary Surgery and Nutrition. All rights reserved.)

Liver transplantation (LT) is currently considered the gold standard treatment for end-stage liver failure. Compared to the first decades of its use, LT is associated with lower comorbidity and mortality, with a 5-year survival over 70%. Worldwide, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma represent the major indications to LT. However, almost 1% of LT is performed for rare diseases or rare indications, which include non-hepatocellular malignancy, vascular disorders, metabolic and congenital liver disorders. These diseases can lead to hepatocellular necrosis, biliary tree abnormality and/or hepatomegaly. Most of these diseases are not associated with liver failure but in highly selected patients, LT represent an effective therapy improving the overall survival and quality of life. Rare indications for LT often overlap with rare diseases. However, rare LT indications for non-rare diseases are rising in the last decades, especially for benign primary liver tumor, colon rectal liver metastasis, neuroendocrine liver metastasis, and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Non-rare diseases with rare indication for LT and rare adult disease with an indication for LT are categorized and discussed in detail, focusing on some disorders for which the literature provides a more definitive evidence base. Early referral to a transplant center is encouraged to provide an effective therapeutic option in these non-standard indications for LT., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tgh-19-282). The series “Recent Advances in Rare Liver Diseases” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. Alessandro Vitale serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Jan 2020 to Dec 2021. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare., (2021 Translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology. All rights reserved.)