[Current status of liver transplantation. Clinical and experimental studies. Microsurgery]

Special problems of liver transplantation were discussed on results and experiences in clinical and experimental transplantation during the last two decades. Heterotopic auxiliary transplantation in animals especially in rats by means of microsurgical techniques were pointed out. Although more than 200 orthotopic transplantations had been carried out, this procedure is still in clinical trial. Heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation had been done almost exclusively in research with disappointing results in the early phase and different results later on. In the last years the indication for orthotopic liver transplantation was reduced to benign liver diseases with severe follow-up, originally a field for heterotopic auxiliary transplantation. In future many problems, e.g. on preservation and blood supply, regeneration and rejection or biochemical function of liver grafts must be studied in clinic and research.