Treatment of fulminant hepatic failure by liver transplantation plus preoperative artificial liver support system / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objectives To investigate the effects of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) plus non-biologic artificial liver support system (NBALSS) on fulminant liver failure(FLF), and efficiency of NBALSS on the preoperative preparation of OLT. Methods Seven FLF patients received OLT after 2 to 20 sessions of NBALSS therapy while waiting donor liver.Results Decreased serum bilirubin, improved hepatic encephalopathy and ascites was achieved in all 7 cases after NBALSS. Five of 7 patients have survived for 3 to 20 months after OLT, of whom 3 have had excellent quality of life for more than 18 months. Two patients died of hepatorenal syndrome or of hepatorenal syndrome and serious pancreatitis. Conclusions OLT plus NBALSS is one of the most effective therapies for FLF, NBALSS can be used to tide the FLF patients over until a donor liver is available.