Liver transplantation in Indian Armed Forces-initial experience.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Transplantation Surgery
• Military Medicine

Background:

• Retrospective analysis of the initial liver transplantation (LT) experience within the Indian Armed Forces.
• Focus on surgical techniques, complications, and mortality rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of LT in a military healthcare setting.
• To assess the effectiveness of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 53 LT cases performed between March 2007 and March 2011.
• Categorization into 35 DDLT and 18 LDLT procedures.
• Evaluation of surgical techniques, complications, and mortality.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 35.9% consent rate for organ donation via AORTA.
• Reported 9.4% incidence of biliary complications, largely managed endoscopically.
• Observed 9.4% hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) rate, with successful revascularization in two DDLT cases.
• Overall mortality was 18.8% (10 patients), with no significant difference between DDLT and LDLT.

Conclusions:

• Liver transplantation outcomes in this cohort are comparable to international standards.
• Urgent revascularization for HAT can salvage grafts effectively.
• Refined surgical techniques have led to a reduction in biliary complications.