Views of Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipients About Xenotransplantation in Türkiye: A Qualitative Study

The aim of this qualitative study is to demonstrate the views of patients who had undergone human-to-human liver transplantation towards xenotransplantation. The study included 20 patients who had experienced the transplant waiting process, transplantation surgery, and posttransplant period. The data were collected through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview form. The findings indicated that patients' views on xenotransplantation varied between positive, negative, and ambivalent attitudes. While some of the participants indicated that they could accept such transplantation as the last resort with a utilitarian approach that prioritised the maintenance of life, some of them adopted a cautious or negative attitude due to religious beliefs, ethical concerns, and distrust of the unknown. Lack of information came forth as a determinative factor in indecision and dilemma. The views were categorised under the themes of acceptance for sustaining life, religious beliefs and ethical values, seeking trust in the face of uncertainty, psychosocial domain, and perceived opportunities and challenges. Generally, it was concluded that patients' attitudes towards xenotransplantation were shaped within a conditional acceptance framework and the process should be evaluated multidimensionally.