Developments in liver transplantation

Abstract

Liver transplantation has gained increasing interest. While liver grafting for tumor is successful over prolonged periods only in its early course, liver grafting for end-stage cirrhosis may lead to a long survival. Liver grafting in children is the most successful indication; in adults the results depend largely on timing and indication. Actual developments are mainly seen in the following points: a. Improvement in immunosuppression by use of Cyclosporin A. The resorption and metabolism of the drug, in relation to liver function, have to be carefully observed. b. The tendency to perform liver grafting electively instead of in emergency. c. Improvement in operative management, particularly the use of veno-venous bypass. d. The best possible anaesthesiological and intensive care management for the patients. It can be expected, that these developments will enable continuous improvement of results, particularly in an elective situation. One hundred and forty liver grafts have been done in our institution and the results are discussed herein. Progress in liver transplantation is marked by steadily growing numbers of liver grafts performed, and of centers performing grafts, as well as by improved success rates and the recommendation of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, based on discussions at a liver transplantation consent meeting, held in June 1983. This interest is also reflected in discussions among the medical and non-medical community. The first section of this paper will deal with the present state and results of liver grafting particularly, at our own institution and some actual developments in this field will be discussed.