Shanghai Surgeons Performed Uzbekistan's First Liver Transplant
A team from Renji Hospital completed the country's first minimally invasive living donor liver transplant in Tashkent.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Surgeons from Shanghai Renji Hospital have successfully performed Uzbekistan's first minimally invasive living donor liver transplant. The procedure involved a 19-year-old son donating part of his liver to his 42-year-old mother who suffered from acute-on-chronic liver failure.
Why it matters
The operation aimed to share critical medical expertise and build local capacity to handle high-risk procedures in Tashkent. This collaboration supports the growth of complex transplant care in the region where such services were previously unavailable.
The procedure addressed acute-on-chronic liver failure, a condition with a mortality rate between 30 and 50 percent. Renji Hospital has led the world in pediatric liver transplant volumes for 12 consecutive years.
The players
Xia Qiang
He is a medical expert and surgeon who led the team from Renji Hospital during the operation.
Renji Hospital
This Shanghai-based medical institution has recorded the world's highest annual number of pediatric liver transplants for 12 consecutive years.
The details
Led by Xia Qiang, the surgical team used small incisions to remove part of the donor's liver rather than traditional open abdominal surgery. Both the mother and son were reported to have stable vital signs following the successful operation.
Timeline
The surgery was completed on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
The medical team arrived in Tashkent on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Renji Hospital previously guided transplant efforts in Malaysia in 2019.
The Big Picture
This transplant marks a continuation of the international medical cooperation model previously established by Renji Hospital in Malaysia. The hospital has focused on expanding global access to specialized surgical techniques.
This medical milestone demonstrates the growing international availability of minimally invasive transplant procedures for those with severe liver failure. Patients in the region now have an increased prospect of accessing life-saving specialized care locally.
The takeaway
Minimally invasive techniques are shortening recovery times for donors in liver transplant cases. Expanding these specialized medical capacities globally is essential for improving survival rates for patients with acute liver failure.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Children’s Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by China Daily.
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