Samsung Changwon Hospital Organ Transplant Center Achieves 10 Cases of Complex Liver Transplant Surgery

Most transplant patients undergo 'complex pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy'
leading to rapid recovery and high satisfaction

The Organ Transplant Center at Sungkyunkwan University Samsung Changwon Hospital has achieved 10 cases of liver transplant surgeries. This accomplishment was reached just five months after the establishment of the Organ Transplant Center, averaging nearly two liver transplant surgeries per month.

Professor Oh Jong-wook at Samsung Changwon Hospital is performing a pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy.

In March, Samsung Changwon Hospital recruited Professor Jo Jae-won, a world-renowned expert in liver transplantation and liver cancer, and opened the Organ Transplant Center in May. From the preparation process for organ transplantation to surgery based on teamwork and postoperative management of transplant patients, a systematic collaborative care system is in place.

Among the 10 liver transplant surgeries performed at Samsung Changwon Hospital, nine were living donor liver transplants and pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomies. Pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy is an advanced surgical technique that involves making four to five small incisions of 1 to 2 cm in size instead of a large abdominal incision, using a camera and surgical instruments to perform the transplant.

Compared to traditional open surgery, this method results in significantly less pain and faster recovery, shortening the time to return to daily life. Additionally, the incision sites are small enough to be completely covered by underwear, enhancing satisfaction both physically and psychologically. However, due to the high difficulty of the surgery, it is performed only at a few centers worldwide, including in Korea.

Professor Jo Jae-won, head of the Organ Transplant Center and a surgeon, stated, “The outcomes of liver transplant surgeries, which require advanced skills, are proven to be on par with those of large hospitals in Seoul through a perfect system and the best teamwork. We will continue to play a leading role in the regional liver transplant field and strive to give hope to more patients.”

Professor Oh Jong-wook, a surgeon, said, “Achieving 10 liver transplant cases not only demonstrates that Samsung Changwon Hospital has an excellent liver transplant team but also shows that the medical staff has sufficient capabilities to closely collaborate in managing high-risk and complex severe patients.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.