[Practical aspects and current perspectives of liver transplantation for the general practitioner]

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has become the method of choice for many forms of endstage liver disease and is generally associated with a good long-term outcome. Morbidity and mortality for this routine procedure have become acceptable provided the procedure is carried out with a correct and timely indication. It is important for the general practitioner to recognize the various early clinical signs of liver failure and portal hypertension in due course in order to reach a comprehensive planning of all necessary medical steps ahead. The most frequent indications for OLT such as chronic hepatitis C related cirrhosis, cholostatic forms of liver disease, limited liver tumours and metabolic disorders (haemochromatosis) are discussed in detail and major practical problems that a general practitioner might encounter in the follow-up of patients with OLT are highlighted in this review.