[Orthotopic liver transplantation: results at a single center]

We undertook this study to describe the results of hepatic orthotopic transplant. Patient characteristics, implants, and patient evolution after transplant were studied. The study was conducted at a third-level medical facility in Mexico.

The files of 49 patients who had a liver transplant were reviewed from July 17, 1999, through November 30, 2006. We also analyzed pretransplant status and status of the hepatic implant at the time of the transplant. Finally, patient evolution was reported postoperatively.

Fifty transplants were carried out in 49 patients (one man was retransplanted and one women had a liver and kidney transplant). There were 35 women (71.43%) and 14 men (28.57%). Ages of the patients were between 2 and 61 years (average 40.40 years). The most frequent causes resulting in transplants were cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and autoimmune cirrhosis: 28 cases (56%) and 7 cases (14%), respectively. Four patients (8%) died from surgery-related complications and 11 patients died (22%) from nonsurgical complications. Patient survival according to Child-Pugh is as follows: Child-Pugh A: 3/4 patients (75%), Child-Pugh B: 17/24 patients (70%), Child-Pugh C: 15/22 patients (68%). Preoperative survival was 35 patients (70%), 1-year survival was 32 patients (64) and 5-year survival was 29 patients (58%).

Survival rates of our patients are acceptable even though the majority of those transplanted had severe hepatic insufficiency and others had diabetes and portal thrombosis.