[Experience in treating hepatic coma by extracorporal liver perfusion (author's transl)]

19 extracorporeal liver perfusions have been performed for treating hepatic coma in 11 patients. No improvement was found in 3 patients, improvement in 8.5 of these 8 patients recovered full consciousness. All 7 patients with pre-existent liver disease died. Of 4 patients without pre-existent liver disease, 2 were discharged and are still alive. At present, extracorporeal liver perfusion seems to be the most promising treatment for hepatic coma. It should be undertaken at Stage IV and at Stage III with increasing prothrombin time. Pre-existent liver disease should be excluded before by laparoscopy.