Liver Transplant and Global Surgery: Experience Establishing a Global Liver Transplantation Mentoring Program

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Liver transplantation (LT) is the second most common solid organ transplantation, however, less than 10% of global transplantation needs are achieved. Low- and middle- income countries (LMIC's) are the most affected. A university- based Center for Global Surgery and our LT team joined efforts in 2017 to create an international alliance for clinical care and academic endeavors. Here we describe our experience establishing a LT mentoring group within an academic Center for Global Surgery. Method(s) This is a retrospective observational study. We evaluated the number of clinical, research and educational activities that our program did with LMICs from 2009 to 2022. Surgeries, patient evaluation, and follow-up were done in a multidisciplinary fashion with protocols from our LT program in partnership with LMIC's teams and via telehealth. Most educational and research activities were done online. Result(s) We performed 15 surgeries in pediatric and adult patients, including cadaveric, living donor LT, portosystemic shunts, and resections, and evaluated 27 patients from LMIC's. We have submitted 2 articles, presented 5 s, and obtained 1 grant. Our group received support to sponsor 1 research scholar per year and we had 15 bilateral exchange visits and organized 27 online multidisciplinary education sessions in collaboration with centers from LMIC'S. Conclusion(s) Our data shows that global transplant efforts with a multidisciplinary model can have clinical and academic impact. It is feasible to partner and mentor LT programs in LMICs through telehealth and exchange programs. Funding of these efforts remains challenging, and COVID-19 has limited academic and clinical activities.