What is the prognosis after retransplantation of the liver?

Adv Surg. 2012:46:87-100. doi: 10.1016/j.yasu.2012.03.005.

Abstract

In patients with failing liver grafts, hepatic retransplantation cannot be abandoned for the ethical and practical reasons that have been detailed previously. The current recommendations involve a strategy for risk stratification of retransplant candidates. The long-term patient and graft survival outcomes after ReLT are excellent and acceptable for the low and intermediate groups, respectively. However, pursuing ReLT in transplant candidates in the high-risk category cannot be recommended. Furthermore, ReLT should be reserved for centers equipped to manage the difficulties of the endeavor because it is a technically demanding operation that requires surgical expertise and excellent anesthesiology and critical care support both before and after transplantation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Graft Rejection / surgery
  • Hepatectomy
  • Humans
  • Liver Failure / etiology
  • Liver Failure / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation* / mortality
  • Patient Selection
  • Prognosis
  • Reoperation
  • Treatment Failure
  • Waiting Lists