Marking a remarkable medical breakthrough, King’s College Hospital London in Dubai has made history by performing the UAE’s first-ever split liver transplant, using a single donor organ to save the lives of both a six-month-old infant and an adult patient.
This complex and delicate procedure sets a new benchmark for transplant care in the region, reinforcing the hospital’s leadership in advanced surgical innovation.
The cadaveric liver was divided through a highly specialised process known as in-situ splitting, allowing two separate liver transplants to take place simultaneously in two operating theatres. One-third of the liver was transplanted into a six-month-old infant weighing only six kilograms, who was suffering from biliary atresia. The remaining two-thirds were successfully transplanted into an adult patient diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis.
“This is unique because it’s the first time a liver has been divided and shared between an adult and a paediatric patient in the UAE,” said Professor Mohamed Rela, Director of the Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence at King’s College Hospital Dubai, and Lead Liver Surgeon.
“The donor operation itself is highly complex. The liver must be divided during retrieval — a technique called ‘in-situ splitting’ — and both transplants must be performed simultaneously in two operating theatres by two surgical teams. Both patients are doing really well, off ventilators, and are no longer in a critical state,” Prof. Rela commented.
The paediatric patient was referred to King’s at five months of age with jaundice that began during the second week of life. The condition progressed rapidly, leading to liver failure. The transplant was performed when the child was six months old, and the infant is now stable with improving liver function.
Dr. Rajeev Tomar, Consultant Paediatrician and Director of the Paediatric Liver Transplant Program at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, said that, “This was a very delicate case involving a young baby whose condition was deteriorating quickly. The success of the split liver transplant and the positive recovery are a testament to the expertise of our transplant team and the collaborative approach we take between paediatric and adult care.”
Leading the adult transplant team, Dr. Kaiser Raja, Consultant Hepatologist and Director of the Adult Liver Transplant Program at King’s, noted that, “Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a progressive and serious liver disease, with no cure except liver transplantation. By successfully performing a split liver transplant and using one organ for two recipients, we’ve not only made surgery more efficient, but also demonstrated the potential to expand access to lifesaving treatment across the UAE.”
Split Liver Transplant boosts King’s College Hospital’s leadership
The sucess of split liver transplant reinforces King’s College Hospital’s position as a regional leader in liver transplantation, combining internationally renowned expertise with local innovation. The hospital’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence is among the few in the region equipped to perform such advanced procedures with a fully integrated, multidisciplinary team.
“We are proud to have achieved this milestone in the UAE. This split liver transplant is not only a triumph for medical science but also a symbol of what’s possible when world-class care and collaboration come together,” added Professor Rela.
King’s College Hospital Dubai extends its deepest gratitude to the donor family, whose generosity made this life-saving procedure possible. The hospital also acknowledges the vital support of the Hayat National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation and the National Center for Organ Donation and Transplantation, whose coordination and commitment continue to transform lives across the UAE.
