Applicability of living donor liver transplantation in a program of adult liver transplantation

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of living donor liver transplantation in a program of adult liver transplantation. Patients and methods We studied the outcomes of the evaluation of 71 potential donor candidates for 53 adult candidates to liver transplantation. Results Ten of the potential donor candidates did not complete their evaluation. Among the remaining 61 potential donors, 29 (47.5%) were considered to be suitable donors. Only 17 (24% of the 71 initial candidates) underwent donation. The main causes for unsuitability for liver donation were a small remnant liver and vascular anatomic variants. Conclusion Fewer than 25% of potential liver donors became effective donors leading us to conclude that adult living donor liver transplantation has a low applicability.