Liver Transplant

What is LDLT?

Living donor liver transplantation uses 50-65% of a healthy donor's liver to replace the recipient's diseased liver. The remaining liver in both donor and recipient regenerates to near-full size within 6-8 weeks. LDLT bypasses the deceased donor waitlist.

Why China?

• Asia leads: Renji and Tianjin First Central Hospital perform 300-500 LDLTs/year — among world's highest volume
• Cost: $80,000-$130,000 vs. $400,000-$800,000 in the US
• No waitlist: Surgery scheduled when donor is ready, often within 2-4 weeks
• Pediatric expertise: Renji is the world leader in pediatric LDLT for biliary atresia

Who is a candidate?

• End-stage liver disease (cirrhosis, HCC within Milan/UCSF criteria)
• Acute liver failure
• Pediatric biliary atresia, metabolic disorders
• Available healthy related donor with compatible blood type

Outcomes

1-year recipient survival: 90-92%. 5-year survival: 75-80%. Donor mortality: <0.3%. Donor return to work: 8-12 weeks.