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The Italian experience on paediatric liver transplantation: 1988-1999 report
M Pompili1, V G Mirante, S Fagiuoli
1Dept. of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. mpompili@rm.unicatt.it
Background:
Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage liver disease in both adult and paediatric patients. The Italian experience in paediatric liver transplantation during the period 1988-1999 is reported herein.
Patients And Methods:
This report concerns 228 liver transplantations performed in 207 patients (100 male, 107 female, mean age 5.1+/-4.4 years) in 11 Italian centres. The mean waiting time on the transplantation list was 6.1+/-8.9 months and the main indications for the procedure were biliary atresia, inborn metabolic disorders, liver cirrhosis, liver neoplasms, Alagille syndrome, and fulminant hepatic failure.
Results:
The cumulative survival rate was 77%, 76%, 73%, and 71% at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years. The overall prevalence of acute rejection was 54%. Survival was significantly affected by re-transplantation (p=0.0002), by United Network for Organ Sharing 4 status at transplantation (p=0.016), and, among the indications for the procedure, by fulminant hepatic failure (p=0.004). Fifty patients (24%) died during the observation period. The main causes of death were primary non-function of the graft and sepsis
Conclusions:
This study shows that liver transplantation in paediatric age, in Italy, is an effective procedure providing a 5-year survival rate comparable to that attained in the largest published series.