The future of liver transplantation at CHOP is a bright one. We will, of course, continue to evaluate and transplant many children with complex issues. We will also continue to explore and advance more ways to get our kids transplanted. Our partnership with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania allows us to increase living donation as we explore and expand non-directed donation and liver and kidney “swaps,” where a donor that may not be appropriate for liver donation can donate a kidney to someone who needs a kidney, and then that recipient’s donor can donate part of their liver to the other recipient.
We also want to make sure that the children we transplant as infants and toddlers will be able to live long and happy lives, without complications. As we continue to do research in the long-term transplant outcomes and effects of immunosuppression, we hope that we will be able to apply these lessons to all the children we transplant.