In a historic medical achievement, Turkish surgeons at the Turgut Özal Medical Center Liver Transplant Institute in Malatya successfully performed the world's first quadruple cross-liver transplants.

This groundbreaking procedure has provided a new lease on life to a total of 7 patients through both quadruple and triple cross-liver transplants, as announced by Prof. Dr. Sezai Yılmaz, the Director of the institute.

A momentous cross-liver transplantation study and informative meeting were conducted via video conference at İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center's Liver Transplantation Institute, attended by esteemed Economics Professors from Boston College, Prof. Dr. Utku Ünver, and Prof. Dr. Tayfun Sönmez, along with renowned liver transplantation expert Prof. Dr. Şükrü Emre.

Prof. Dr. Yılmaz shared the institute's remarkable achievements during the meeting, revealing that they carried out an impressive total of 35 liver transplants within the 35-day period leading up to the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6th.

Despite the challenges posed by the earthquakes, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz proudly emphasized that they did not halt their liver transplantation efforts, showcasing the institute's resilience and perseverance. Although the number of transplantations experienced a decrease, they exceeded expectations in the year 2023. Originally planning to perform 300-350 liver transplants, the hospital had to adapt due to the circumstances, offering its services to earthquake victims and providing accommodation, which inevitably limited their capacity. Nevertheless, their commitment to their life-saving work remained unwavering.

During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz spoke about the implementation of the liver paired exchange system, successfully executed in collaboration with professors from Boston College, Prof. Dr. Utku Ünver, and economics expert Prof. Dr. Tayfun Sönmez. The newly developed and efficient matching algorithm system played a crucial role in facilitating swap liver transplantation. Prof. Dr. Yılmaz highlighted the challenge that only about one-third of living donors are suitable for transplantation, while the remaining two-thirds face obstacles like ABO incompatibility, volume incompatibility, or other anatomical issues that prevent them from being suitable donors.

With the help of the new system, the institute successfully overcame these compatibility obstacles, streamlining the transplantation process and ensuring more patients can receive life-saving liver transplants.

"The team behind the system generously granted it to İnönü University free of charge through a protocol. With the cross-matching transplant system named 'Banu Bedestenci Sönmez Cross-Transplant Algorithm,' we determined that we can perform transplants for our patients. In July 2022, we achieved a historic milestone by conducting the world's first quadruple living-donor liver transplant. Despite the earthquake that struck our country on February 6th, we also performed a triple cross-match transplant in April 2023, marking it as the third such liver cross-transplant globally," Prof. Dr. Yılmaz stated.

This groundbreaking achievement has opened new doors for more patients to receive life-saving liver transplants, significantly enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the procedure.

The Turgut Özal Medical Center Liver Transplant Institute, part of Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center, has become a renowned center for liver transplantation. Established in 2001 by Prof. Vedat Kirimlioglu and Prof. Sezai Yilmaz, the institute has performed over 3,000 liver transplants, earning a reputation as one of the most experienced liver transplant centers in the world.

The institute is known for its high success rates and pioneering techniques. It was the first center globally to conduct a simultaneous liver transplant in two adults. Additionally, the institute's "Malatya criteria" plays a crucial role in determining eligible patients for liver transplantation.

The Turgut Özal Medical Center Liver Transplant Institute serves as a major hub for liver transplantation, attracting patients from around the world. Furthermore, it serves as a prominent training center for surgeons and other healthcare professionals interested in liver transplantation. (ILKHA)