Chongqing's first auxiliary liver transplant Photo: screenshot from CCTV News

In a medical breakthrough that tested both skill and human courage, Southwest China's Chongqing saw its first successful "twin liver" transplant—a 10-hour marathon surgery where one brother donated half of his liver to save another, creating a rare dual-functioning organ system, CCTV News reported Monday.

According to the CCTV's report, the story began in May when 60-year-old Deng Yuezhong was diagnosed with liver cancer and cirrhosis at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. With time running out, his family rallied. His 80-year-old mother volunteered first, but doctors had to decline due to her age. The hope then fell on his younger brother, Deng Yueming, a migrant worker who didn't hesitate to save his brother. 

The human liver possesses remarkable regenerative power—a healthy adult can regrow up to 80-90 percent of its original volume within 3-6 months after donating half of the organ. But a major challenge arose: the younger brother's smaller physique meant his donated liver might be insufficient for his larger brother. To solve this, the medical team pioneered Chongqing's first "auxiliary liver transplant"—a procedure where the diseased liver was partially retained and the healthy graft was attached, allowing the two livers to coexist and function together, the report said.

In late August, the 10-hour surgery kept two families on edge. Doctors successfully implanted part of Deng Yueming's liver into his brother, creating a rare "twin liver" system. After the operation, the donor's liver began regenerating, reaching about 30 percent regrowth within a month. His brother, once critically ill, gradually recovered as the two livers started working in sync.

For Deng Yuezhong, his brother's sacrifice meant a second chance at life. "I'm filled with gratitude," he said. "My brother's liver gave me back my life."

For the donor, the decision was profound. A construction worker and a single father, he risked his health and his family's sole income. Yet, driven by the belief that "an elder brother is like a father," he never hesitated. "We grew up poor, and my eldest brother supported us. My first thought was to save him."

Before the surgery, the brothers made a pact: if anything went wrong, Deng Yuezhong's son would promise to support Deng Yueming's daughter through college.

Thankfully, the risky gamble paid off—with skill, courage, and a bond that even medicine can't fully measure. All of Deng Yuezhong's medical indicators met the discharge criteria two months after the surgery, and he was finally discharged and returned home.

CCTV News