Orthotopic liver transplantation for chronic viral hepatitis: an overview.
The aim of this review is to discuss the problem of orthotopic liver transplantation in patients suffering from chronic viral liver disease due to hepatitis B, C and D viruses. The decision to operate these patients is often controversial, as the risk of a recurrence of viral infection is very high and reinfection may be severe enough to require a second or even multiple grafts. However, the quality of life and the survival rate improve after transplantation in chronic viral hepatitis patients.
Smedile
A
A
Division of Gastroenterology, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy.
Rizzetto
M
M
D002908:Chronic Disease; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000601:surgery; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000601:surgery; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000601:surgery; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*