From October 1990 to May 1992, nine of 38 patients with liver transplants (24%) had partial orthotopic liver transplantation on account of lack of size-matching donor livers. The preliminary results have presented very few problems; there was no per- or postoperative mortality and no surgical complications. Four patients had episodes of acute rejection which responded to anti-rejection therapy, and two patients were treated for CMV infection. All patients are discharged with normal liver function 4-9 weeks after transplantation (median 5 weeks). The method seems to be safe and can be used in centers with limited activity, where there is a problem of having the correct liver at the correct time.