RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) in predicting the early-stage outcome of liver transplantation in patients with end-stage liver disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The MELD scores of 87 liver transplantation recipients with end-stage liver disease were calculated, and their early-stage complications and mortality were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of severe complications was 20.7%; in these recipients, with the 28-day and 3-month survival rates of 89.7%; and 88.5%;, respectively. The mean MELD scores showed significant differences between the complication-free group and survival group (14.6 vs 12.9, P<0.05), and also between the complication group and death group (21.6 vs 29.4, P<0.05). Compared to patients with MELD no greater than 15, patients with MELD between 16 and 24 showed significantly increased complication rate but had comparable survival rate (P>0.05); but in patients with MELD no less than 25, the survival rate was significantly decreased with also increased complication rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A higher MELD score before liver transplantation is associated with greater likeliness of early-stage complication rate and mortality. High MELD score (over 25) can be a useful index in predicting severe complications and death in patients undergoing liver transplantation.</p>