Father Donates Portion of Liver to Daughter in Simultaneous Operations

A father donated 20 percent of his liver to his 22-month-old daughter in operations performed simultaneously at two hospitals in Birmingham. The procedures took place in April at Birmingham Children's Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The donated portion measured roughly the size of a soft drinks can.

The child had been diagnosed at eight weeks old with an enzyme deficiency in her liver. By the time she reached one year of age, doctors determined that a transplant offered the best chance for survival.

After months of physical and psychological evaluations, medical staff confirmed that the father was a suitable donor. Surgeons noted that the transplant could have been stopped at the last moment if the father's liver had not met health standards during the procedure.

A live liver transplant coordinator at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital said staff members were tense on the morning of the operations but relieved when the procedures went ahead. Once the father's liver portion was removed, it was transported across the city under escort by one of the surgeons and transplanted into the child the same day.

The child's consultant transplant surgeon described the procedures as the result of coordinated teamwork and noted the family's support throughout the process. The mother remained at the children's hospital for two months while the child underwent two additional surgeries.

The father reported that his own recovery progressed more quickly than his daughter's. Both livers are expected to regenerate, and the child's new liver will continue to grow with her. The family has since returned home. The child is described as walking, exploring, and gaining weight, with staff noting continued progress since discharge.