There has been one death resulting from this procedure in Germany due to a blood clot. The thorough testing of the living-donor ensures that the liver graft is of a very high quality. LRLT rejection rates and immunologic graft losses are similar to those of standard cadaver organ transplants. The two most common reasons for graft loss in LRLT are arterial thrombosis and acute rejection. Some families choose to opt for living-related liver transplantation immediately because they do not wish to see their children suffer any more than necessary.
Parents can have their child transplanted while the child's health is relatively stable.
Another advantage is that surgery can also be scheduled instead of anxiously waiting for their beepers to go off if and when an organ donor is found. Others have family members evaluated and ready to go but wait in hope that a cadaver donor so the living-donor doesn't have to endure unnecessary surgery. Some parents proceed with LRLT only when their child's health deteriorates significantly. LRLT also offers families a back up if a cadaver donor fails and another liver is needed immediately. Standard liver transplantation is still the first choice among surgeons and parents.