Surgeons Performed First Minimally Invasive Liver Transplant
A medical team in Uzbekistan utilized advanced donor techniques to treat a patient with severe liver failure.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Doctors from Shanghai Renji Hospital completed Uzbekistan's first minimally invasive living donor liver transplant on a 42-year-old woman. Her 19-year-old son served as the donor for the procedure, which aims to expand local capacity for treating severe liver conditions.
Why it matters
Living donor liver transplants can save patients who face a mortality rate of 30 to 50 percent with acute-on-chronic liver failure. This collaboration transfers specialized surgical techniques to a new clinical setting, potentially improving access to life-saving care in the region.
The procedure involved a living donor transplant for a 42-year-old patient, a standard intervention for acute-on-chronic liver failure cases that otherwise carry a 30 to 50 percent mortality risk. Clinical success remains under observation as the patient recovers.
The players
Xia Qiang
The lead surgeon and transplant expert who directed the medical team during the operation.
Shanghai Renji Hospital
A leading medical institution that has recorded the world's highest annual volume of pediatric liver transplants for 12 consecutive years.
The details
The surgical team performed the operation using minimally invasive techniques, which involve making small incisions rather than opening the abdomen. This approach requires coordinated care across multiple specialties and the implementation of standardized treatment protocols. By utilizing a living donor, the surgeons were able to transplant a portion of the liver from the 19-year-old son to the recipient.
Timeline
• 2019: Renji Hospital surgeons previously guided transplant procedures in Malaysia.
• Saturday, October 10, 2026: The Shanghai surgical team arrived in Tashkent.
• Sunday, October 11, 2026: The liver transplant surgery was completed.
Health Landscape
This procedure follows a decade-long pattern of global expertise sharing established by the Shanghai Renji Hospital pediatric liver transplant program. It highlights a shift toward regional capacity-building for high-stakes transplant surgeries internationally.
For individuals managing chronic liver conditions, this advancement underscores the importance of monitoring liver function through regular clinical screening. Always discuss specific liver health concerns and potential transplant eligibility with a specialist.
The takeaway
Minimally invasive liver transplantation offers a viable treatment path for patients with severe liver failure by reducing the physical trauma of surgery. Patients or caregivers interested in transplant options should consult their healthcare provider about the latest surgical standards and risks.
Further reading
For more on evolving surgical techniques and pediatric care, visit Children’s Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by China Daily.
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