Vietnamese Doctors Successfully Perform Liver-Splitting Transplants to Save Two Lives

Dr. Tran Cong Duy Long and his team at the University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, successfully performed Vietnam's first liver-splitting transplant, saving the lives of a one-year-old girl and a 53-year-old man. Using a liver from a brain-dead donor, they divided it into two parts: the larger right lobe was transplanted into the man, who suffered from liver cancer and cirrhosis, while the smaller left lobe was given to the child, who had biliary atresia.

https://youtu.be/F-SJxNGHJsA

The procedure required meticulous coordination, as liver splitting outside the donor's body posed higher risks compared to in situ splitting. Despite challenges, including tight timing and the need for precision to preserve vascular structures, the surgeries were successful. Both patients recovered well, marking a milestone in Vietnam's organ transplantation history.

In a second case, Dr. Long collaborated with a team from Ha Noi to split a liver directly inside the donor’s body. The right lobe was sent to Ha Noi for an adult recipient, while the left lobe was transplanted into a three-year-old girl in Ho Chi Minh City.

Dr. Long emphasized the importance of liver splitting in maximizing the use of donated organs, which remain scarce in Vietnam. With increased public awareness and advancements in organ donation and transplantation, the field is expected to grow, offering hope to more patients awaiting life-saving procedures.

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