Pediatric Split-Liver Transplants

The Pediatric Liver Transplant Program at Children’s Hospital Colorado uses every opportunity to match an organ with a child in need — even when the available organ is too large for your child. We understand that families on the liver transplant list are eagerly waiting for the call that an organ is available for their child. A split-liver transplant gives your child access to a liver that’s the right size and can shorten their wait time.

Split-liver transplants are complex and require highly experienced surgeons. At Children’s Colorado, our transplant team has the specialized expertise and surgical experience to perform these complex procedures.

What is a split-liver transplant?

A whole donated adult liver is often too large for a child. In a split-liver transplant, surgeons divide one deceased-donor liver into two pieces to be used in two different recipients. A child receives the smaller piece, and an adult receives the larger piece.

Our transplant surgeons carefully inspect the donor liver to be sure it can be safely split and provide a good outcome for both recipients.

What are the benefits of a split-liver transplant for children? 

Benefits of a split-liver transplant often include:

• Better size match: Finding a whole liver that is the right size for a child can be hard. Splitting an adult liver allows your child to get a liver section that is the right size for them.
• One donor saving two lives: In split-liver transplants, two patients benefit from one donated liver, instead of a single patient getting the whole liver.
• Shorter wait times: The transplant surgery can happen sooner because your child does not have to wait for a smaller-sized organ. Your child can have the surgery when they are healthier and better able to tolerate the transplant.

What to expect from a split-liver transplant surgery and recovery

Split-liver transplants are highly specialized surgeries. The steps involved in the process are much like those of other liver transplants, including evaluation, planning, surgery and recovery.

Learn more about our pediatric liver transplant process

Contact the Liver Transplant Program

For questions or to make an appointment, please contact our liver transplant team at 720-777-2335 or livertransplant@childrenscolorado.org.