Liver Transplantation Surgery: How We Do It Today In Italy

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation is probably one of the most challenging surgical procedures a surgeon can face. Since its pioneering time the technique of liver transplantation has dramatically changed evolving to the present form characterized by many different technical solutions that can be utilized to manage this complex surgery. The aim of this study is to report the result of a national survey regarding the surgical technique of liver transplantation in Italy. Methods: a questionnaire, focusing donor’s liver harvesting and surgical technique of recipients’ hepatectomy and graft implantation was emailed to all the 21 centers performing liver transplantation in Italy. Results: Nineteen out of 21 (90.5%) of the centers completely fulfilled the survey. The results of this national survey showed an important variability of the surgical techniques utilized by different centers, reflecting the evolution of liver transplantation from its ancestor time and the adaptation of novel surgical techniques together with innovative intraoperative technologies. Conclusion: The secret of this operation, as for all surgery, is to have complete mastery of the anatomy to avoid wandering into places or structures where one is not supposed to be and of all the surgical techniques available to face any possible situation during this high challenging surgery.