Liver Transplantation Modern techniques in donor and recipient operations

Pacific Transplant Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco Orthotopic hepatic transplantation provides hope for patients with irreversible liver disease, and the operation is becoming more accepted by the medical community and the public in general. Still, the operation is difficult and the postoperative and long-term management can be rather complex. Unlike pancreas, kidney and heart transplantation, liver transplantation lacks a back-up system, such as Insulin, dialysis or a ventricular support device, if graft failure occurs. Therefore, the Slightest error in the management of the patient after hepatic transplantation may prove fatal. Complications during the post-operative period often originate from the time of the procurement and/or transplantation operations. Thus, good techniques are crucial for a satisfactory outcome.