Liver transplant program outcomes at a Colombian center: 14 years of experience

The objective of the study was to analyze outcomes of a liver transplant program over 14 years and evaluate associations between patient characteristics, surgical factors, complications, and mortality.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a transplant center, including patients from 2011 to 2025. Descriptive statistics, X², Mann-Whitney U tests, and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify mortality predictors. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was also performed.

The study included 109 liver transplant recipients. Rejection rates were higher among deceased patients (30.3% vs. 13.2%, p = 0.034). One-year survival improved from 63.3% (2011-2014) to 89.1% (2023-2025), with 100% rejection-free survival in the most recent cohort. Complications like multi-organ failure, bronchopneumonia, acute renal failure, ventilatory failure with coma, and leukoencephalopathy significantly increased mortality risk (odds ratio 4.27, p = 0.002).

One-year survival has improved, with reduced rejection rates reflecting better post-transplant care. However, complications remain a major mortality risk. Shorter ischemia times indicate optimized surgical and logistical procedures.