Liver transplantation at the University of Michigan

Liver transplantation is a highly successful therapy for liver diseases that were previously debilitating and often fatal within a few months. One-year actuarial patient survival for our first 162 patients is 74.7%. Our results have improved since the inception of the program despite the fact that the indications have been extended to higher risk patients such as those with fulminating hepatitis or thrombosed portal veins. The prognosis following transplantation for each specific indication needs to be defined, especially for hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis and individual cancers. We believe that a more conservative approach to immunosuppression, close attention to intravenous and enteral nutrition, and aggressive treatment of complications (including prompt reoperation when indicated) have been important improvements in our management practices.