Outcomes of Split Liver Transplantation vs Living Donor Liver Transplantation in Pediatric Patients: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study in Korea

BACKGROUND The number of pediatric patients awaiting liver transplantation has decreased. Due to its increased use in Korea, split liver transplantation (SLT) may be a substitute for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT); however, the outcomes of pediatric SLT and LDLT in Korea remain unreported. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed data of Korean patients aged 0.05). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 92.1%, 90.2%, and 86.6% in the SLT and 96.4%, 94.6%, and 94.6% in the LDLT groups, respectively (P=0.21); the corresponding graft survival rates were 88.9%, 87.1%, and 83.6% in the SLT and 92.9%, 91.0%, and 91.0% in the LDLT groups, respectively (P=0.31). Fulminant hepatic failure was a risk factor for graft failure [OR, 8.77 (1.08-70.92); P=0.042], but not overall survival [OR, 11.78 (0.56-247.29); P=0.11]. CONCLUSIONS The graft and overall survival rates of SLT and LDLT were not different in pediatric patients in Korea, and fulminant hepatic failure was the only risk factor affecting graft survival outcomes.ope