The new “Living Donor Liver Transplantation Program” Created by the Scientific Cooperation Between Malatya and Bishkek

Objectives: In countries that do not have legal regulations regarding organ donation and brain death, only living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) centers can be established. LDLT is a very difficult operation and consists of a series of complex surgeries. Establishing an LDLT center in underdeveloped or developing countries is only possible with a long-term, patience and devoted cooperation of a developed transplant center.
Methods: In this study, LDLT training between the new LDLT center planned to be established in Kyrgyzstan and Inonu University Liver Transplantation Institute (LTI), one of the world's leading institutes in LDLT, and the first 2 LDLTs at the center in Bishkek were presented. LTI's mentoring process started 9 years ago. The training process continued intermittently, but an intensive training program was implemented for the last two years. During this process, a total of 74 doctors or nurses, mainly general surgeons, received training on LDLT.
Results: At the end of the training process, a team of surgeons from both centers performed 2 LDLTs on 2 separate days in Bishkek, on June 10 and 11, 2024.
Conclusion: The purpose of this cooperation is to plan and implement joint programs between states, universities and LT centers and to obtain good results for patients. This study focused on the implications, results, and future expectations of this cooperation, which was written as the first LDLTs in the history of Kyrgyzstan.