The İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center in Malatya, Türkiye, has once again etched its name in the annals of medical history.

The center recently performed its second 7-way cross-liver transplant, a groundbreaking procedure that has no parallel anywhere else in the world. The operation, involving 7 donors and 7 recipients, took place simultaneously in 14 operating rooms with the participation of 120 medical personnel, including 50 surgeons.

This remarkable achievement marks the second time such a procedure has been successfully executed globally, cementing Malatya's position as a world leader in cross-liver transplantation.

Prof. Dr. Sezai Yılmaz, the director of the Liver Transplant Institute at the Turgut Özal Medical Center, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of this procedure. "This operation is only the second of its kind in world history, with the first also performed here in Malatya," said Dr. Yılmaz. He believes that the scale and complexity of the 7-way transplant make it unlikely that a similar operation will be performed elsewhere in the world within the next 50 years. The 7-way cross liver transplant represents the pinnacle of medical innovation and collaborative expertise.

The İnönü University Liver Transplant Institute has long been at the forefront of liver transplant surgery, having conducted a significant portion of the world's most complex procedures. "We have performed 17 three-way cross liver transplants and 7 four-way transplants, with all of the latter taking place here in Malatya," explained Dr. Yılmaz. The institute also holds the distinction of performing the world’s first six-way and five-way cross liver transplants. These operations are not only technically demanding but require the kind of teamwork, advanced facilities, and cutting-edge medical equipment that few institutions can offer.

The second 7-way transplant was the culmination of the center's unparalleled expertise, involving a team that worked seamlessly across multiple disciplines. “A total of 120 people, including anesthesiologists, nurses, and support staff, took part in this operation,” noted Dr. Yılmaz. “Our team in Malatya is one of the strongest in the world, which allows us to execute such complex procedures.”

Patients from around the world are increasingly turning to Malatya’s Liver Transplant Institute for life-saving procedures. "We are performing the 200th liver transplant of this year alone," said Dr. Yılmaz. "The total number of cross liver transplants we have completed now stands at 157, with patients coming from countries such as Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Crimea, and Yemen."

One particularly heartwarming case involved a young girl from Crimea, who had been awaiting a liver transplant for a long time. Through the cross-transplant system, her mother was able to donate her liver to another patient, allowing the girl to receive a liver graft from a different donor. “It’s these kinds of outcomes that make the complexity of cross liver transplants worthwhile,” Dr. Yılmaz remarked.

Malatya has become synonymous with innovation in liver transplantation, and Dr. Yılmaz is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. He emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, noting the center’s work with economists from Boston College, Prof. Dr. Tayfun Sönmez and Prof. Dr. Utku Ünver, who contributed to the algorithm that facilitates multiple cross transplants. Their work was instrumental in the success of cross kidney transplants, earning them the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2012.

Despite these remarkable achievements, Dr. Yılmaz stressed the ongoing need for organ donation. “We must increase organ donation to continue saving lives,” he said, adding that Turkey’s new Minister of Health, Kemal Memişoğlu, is highly committed to this cause.

The second 7-way cross liver transplant in Malatya is not only a triumph for the medical center but also a beacon of hope for patients around the world. With its highly skilled team, advanced medical infrastructure, and innovative approach to transplantation, the Turgut Özal Medical Center is leading the way in global healthcare. The center’s work exemplifies the transformative power of medical science and collaboration, ensuring that Malatya remains the global address for cross-liver transplantation. (ILKHA)