Paired Exchange Liver Transplantation Using an Altruistic Living Donor: First Case in Saudi Arabia-A Case Report

Transplant Proc. 2023 Oct;55(8):1927-1929. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.05.028. Epub 2023 Jul 29.

Abstract

Paired exchange (PE) living donor organ transplantation is an innovation designed to expand the pool of organs available for transplantation. In PE liver transplantation, the donor organs are exchanged between the 2 pairs to overcome blood group incompatibility or volume mismatch. There are ethical and logistic issues surrounding PE. This is the first report of PE liver transplantation in Saudi Arabia using an altruistic donor (AD). The AD may facilitate the exchange because there is no reciprocal expectation of transplantation from the AD. Paired exchange may increase only a small number of donated liver allografts. This may be the only solution for some families and in some countries.