Emergency orthotopic liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure:a report of 8 cases / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the efficacy of emergency orthotopic liver transplantation(EOLT) for acute(hepatic) failure(ALT).Methods A retrospective review was undertaken on the clinical data of 8 patients undergoing emergency liver transplantation for ALT.Results The 8 patients completely regained consciousness in 12 to 72 hours after operation.No case developed central nervous complications.One case of severe(hepatitis) complicated by acute renal failure died of respiratory infection and ARDS on postoperative day 7.One case who refused to take medication died from chronic rejection 12 months after operation.One case was(complicated) by bile duct stricture and biliary sludge at 14 months postoperatively and survived for 18 months.Four of the other 5 cases were followed up for 17 months and 1 cases for 14 months,and thir quality of life was excellent.3 of them have returned to work.Conclusions Emergency orthotopic liver thansplantation is an effective means to treat ALF.Intensive care and effective treatment preoperatively are pre-requisite(conditions) to ensure the success of EOLT.