ĐÁNH GIÁ KẾT QUẢ SỚM PHẪU THUẬT GHÉP GAN TRẺ EM TẠI BỆNH VIỆN ĐẠI HỌC Y DƯỢC THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the technical success rate of pediatric liver transplantation (defined as patient survival to hospital discharge), as well as to assess postoperative complications and survival outcomes. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of five pediatric patients (under 16 years of age) who underwent liver transplantation at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (UMC HCMC) from November 2021 to September 2022. Results: Five patients (all female; aged 2, 2, 2, 4, and 12 years) underwent liver transplantation. All had cirrhosis secondary to biliary atresia and had previously undergone Kasai portoenterostomy. All experienced recurrent cholangitis, and two had variceal bleeding. Four patients received left lobe grafts from their parents, and one received a left lobe graft from her aunt. The mean operative time was 618 ± 163.9 minutes. The postoperative complication rate was 80% (4/5), including bile leakage (2), colonic perforation (1), gastrointestinal bleeding (1), and acute rejection (2). All patients survived and were discharged in good condition. After a median follow-up of 38.2 months, all recipients remained alive with good graft function and demonstrated normal physical, mental, and motor development. Conclusion: Pediatric liver transplantation at UMC HCMC has been successfully implemented, with 100% patient survival to hospital discharge. Despite a relatively high complication rate, all patients showed excellent mid-term outcomes, with sustained graft function and healthy development comparable to their peers.