KEY TAKEAWAYS

Two Utah girls received life-saving liver transplants in a first-ever paired exchange.

Marissa Kauffman and Eliana Tibbs faced liver failure; donors enabled their recovery.

Dr. Jean F. Botha highlighted the rarity and success of this complex procedure.

SALT LAKE CITY — Marissa Kauffman and Eliana "Elie" Tibbs were both suffering from liver failure earlier this year.

Each of the girls was given a second chance at life in July, with the help of two very selfless individuals, through what doctors are saying was the first paired exchange liver transplant ever performed in Utah.

Paired exchanges fall under the living donor transplant category and happen when donor-recipient pairs that are incompatible can swap with other incompatible pairs to create matches for all involved.

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