Seeing Both the Forest and the Trees: Where Does 3-Dimensional Printing Fit in Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation?

Advanced preoperative three-dimensional planning decreases the surgical complications of using large-for-size grafts in pediatric living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Using "large-for-size" liver graft, graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) ≥4%, has been debated in pediatric liver transplantation due to possible graft compartment after abdomen closure. Meticulous preoperative evaluation with three-dimensional (3D) techniques may prevent these problems. This study compared the safety of large-for-size grafts in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (PLDLT) during the eras with or without 3D planning.

METHODS

We defined the 3D era was after November 2017 due to our first implication of 3D printing for surgical planning and subsequently developing a 3D simulation implanting model. From November 2004 to July 2021, we enrolled 30 PLDLT patients with body weight (BW) < 10 kg and categorized them into conventional group: GRWR ≥4% before the 3D era (n = 9), 3D group: GRWR ≥4% in the 3D era (n = 8), and control group: GRWR <4% (n = 13). We followed and compared their clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The 3D group had the lowest BW and the highest graft volume reduction rate, with all receiving modified left lateral segments (LLS), such as reduced LLS (n = 2), hyperreduced LLS (n = 5), and segment 2 monosegment (n = 1). Overall postoperative complications were similar in conventional and control groups but significantly lower in the 3D group (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.006-0.70, p = 0.025). However, all groups had similar graft and patient survival at 1, 2, and 4 years.

CONCLUSION

Advanced preoperative 3D planning can decrease post-transplant complications and increase the safety of large-for-size grafts in PLDLT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Type of study: Retrospective comparative study; Evidence level: Level III.