Adult Liver Transplant Candidate Attitudes Toward Graft Sharing Are Not Obstacles to Split Liver Transplantation

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American Journal of TransplantationVolume 5 Issue 8 Page 2047 - August 2005doi:10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.00946.x

Brief Communication

Adult Liver Transplant Candidate Attitudes Toward Graft Sharing Are Not Obstacles to Split Liver Transplantation

Neal R. Barshesa, C. Leea, Ian W. Udella, A. O'Mahoneya, Beth A. b, Saul J. Karpena,b and A. Gossa,*

Split liver transplantation (SLT) benefits society by increasing the total number of transplants that can be performed, but it is yet unknown if a decreased post-transplant survival (in comparison to whole liver transplantation) would make participation in SLT less appealing to adult liver transplant candidates. A 20-item questionnaire was administered to 50 adult candidates to assess attitudes toward SLT and organ sharing. The overall attitudes of 60% of participants were classified as utilitarian (maximizing benefit to greatest number of candidates), while 26% were classified as self-preserving (maximizing individual benefit) and 14% were undecided. Ninety percent of participants would be willing to share even if expected survival was less than that of whole liver transplantation, and 69% felt that pediatric candidates should have priority over adult candidates. In conclusion, attitudes toward graft sharing and the possibility of compromised survival benefit are not barriers to SLT for most adult liver transplant candidates.