[Indications and results of liver transplantation]

Liver transplantation offers cure and high a quality of life to patients with otherwise incurable diseases. For patients suffering from chronic liver diseases or metabolic disorders, a life expectancy of less than one year or an unacceptable quality of life are considered to be indications for transplantation. For unresectable primary liver tumors without vascular invasion or tumor manifestations outside the liver long-term survival can be achieved with transplantation. Because of the enormous regenerative capacity of the liver, indication for transplantation can be difficult in case of fulminant hepatic failure, for which own criteria have been defined. In relation to the under-lying liver disease one-year patient survival varies from 60%-80%. Recurrence of tumors or viral hepatitis may have a negative impact of long-term outcome. Various indications and results are discussed in detail.