Technical Tips in Laparoscopic Donor Right Hepatectomy in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Abstract

Although laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (LDRH) is increasingly performed in adult living donor liver transplantation, most experiences have been reported from a limited number of major transplant centers. This is because LDRH requires high-level surgical skills and a guarantee of donor safety. Thus, despite its many advantages, this operation program should be performed with caution, especially in less experienced centers. Various surgical techniques and the know-how have been introduced by several publications in recent years, which include donor’s position during operation, selection of port sites and division methods of bile duct and vascular structures. Even though the technical consensus on LDRH has not been established yet, the accumulated experience of major LDRH centers is a good starting point to guide surgeons planning a new LDRH program.