Objective  To summarize the clinical experience of small-for-size graft of pediatric donor liver transplantation in the treatment of acute liver failure in an adult recipient.

  Methods  Clinical data of application of small-for-size graft of pediatric donor liver transplantation in an adult recipient was retrospectively analyzed and literature review was performed.

  Results  The pediatric donor was aged 4.5 years old and the weight of donor liver from donation after brain death was 544.6 g. The body mass of recipient was 52 kg. The graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 1.05%. The classic orthotopic liver transplantation was performed. Postoperative recovery was not satisfying. The recipient suffered from brain edema, stress gastrointestinal bleeding, acute kidney injury, small-for-size liver syndrome, atelectasis, lung infection, fungal infection, abdominal infection, pleural effusion and other postoperative complications. After symptomatic and comprehensive treatment, the function of liver graft was gradually restored and regenerated to the normal size of adult liver at postoperative 2 to 3 weeks. The patient was discharged after 102 d hospitalization. During the follow-up at postoperative 10 months, the liver function was evaluated normal and the quality of life was favorable.

  Conclusions  Pediatric small-for-size donor livers can be successfully transplanted to the adult recipients. Nevertheless, it is necessary to select the appropriate recipients, surgical methods and fine perioperative management according to the conditions of the donor livers.