Morbid Obesity and Liver Transplant

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Transplantation Surgery
• Bariatric Medicine

Background:

• Rising prevalence of morbid obesity (MO) impacts various patient populations.
• MO is increasingly observed in patients with liver disease eligible for liver transplantation (LT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of morbid obesity on morbidity, mortality, and survival after liver transplantation.
• To determine if MO should be considered a contraindication for LT.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of a single-center cohort of patients with MO undergoing LT.
• Data collected on body mass index (BMI), indications for LT, postoperative complications, and survival rates.

Main Results:

• Fifteen patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² underwent LT between 2004-2023.
• Common indications included liver cirrhosis (93%); 5 patients experienced major complications.
• Five-year patient and graft survival rates were high at 97%.

Conclusions:

• Liver transplantation in patients with morbid obesity yielded satisfactory postoperative outcomes and survival.
• Morbid obesity should not be considered an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation.