Minimally invasive approach liver transplantation based on MIOT.CC 2024: evidence, challenges and China’s development path
10.12464/j.issn.1674-7445.2026098
- VernacularTitle:基于MIOT.CC 2024的微创入路肝移植：证据、挑战与中国路径
- Author:
Wenrui WU
1
Author Information
1. Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
- Publication Type:Guideinterpretation
- Keywords:
Liver transplantation;
Minimally invasive approach;
Laparoscopy;
Robot;
Living donor hepatectomy;
Donor side;
Recipient side
- From:
Organ Transplantation
2026;17(6):996-1001
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Over the past two decades, laparoscopic and robotic techniques have continuously advanced hepatobiliary surgery toward minimally invasive practice, rendering minimally invasive approach liver transplantation an emerging research frontier. Distinct from routine hepatectomy, liver transplantation involves not only diseased liver resection but also graft implantation as well as vascular and biliary reconstruction. Furthermore, donor and recipient sides differ substantially in surgical objectives, risk profiles and ethical criteria, precluding direct extrapolation of experience from conventional minimally invasive liver surgery. Available clinical evidence has confirmed solid perioperative safety and recovery benefits for minimally invasive living donor hepatectomy, which was developed at an earlier stage. In contrast, recipient-side procedures, especially totally laparoscopic or robotic graft implantation, are currently supported predominantly by small-cohort data from high-volume transplant centers, with long-term outcomes and cross-center reproducibility remaining to be verified. Based on the 2024 Minimally Invasive Organ Transplant Consensus Conference (MIOT.CC), this article reviews research advances, practical obstacles and domestic clinical practices of minimally invasive liver transplantation from both donor and recipient perspectives, to inform the development of minimally invasive liver transplantation in China.
