title: Surgical complications and long-term outcome in pediatric liver transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Liver transplantation has been widely accepted for the treatment of children with end-stage liver disease over the last 10 years particularly with the advent of reduced-size liver transplant technique. This study reviewed the perioperative and long-term results in the pediatric program of the Queensland Liver Transplant Service, Brisbane, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis was performed in 153 children who received 176 liver grafts between 1985 and 1995, including 109 (62%) reduced-size and 67 (38%) whole liver grafts. Median follow-up period was 5.3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-, 5-, and 10-year patient and graft survival rates were 82% and 74%, 75% and 63%, and 70% and 60%, respectively. Normal physical and intellectual development was observed in 98% of survivors. There were no significant differences in patient or graft survival rates between transplants using reduced-size and whole liver grafts. Portal vein thrombosis was the most common vascular complication, occurring in 8%. Hepatic artery thrombosis occurred in 7%, including 11% of children less than 1 year old and 8% of those under 10 kg. Biliary complication was found in 16% and posttransplant gastrointestinal perforation in 19%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liver transplantation has the potential to cure and allow development in children with end-stage liver disease.
authors: Queensland Liver Transplant Service, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Yamanaka
authors: S V
authors: SV
authors: Lynch
authors: T H
authors: TH
authors: Ong
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Fawcett
authors: H E
authors: HE
authors: Robinson
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Beale
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Balderson
authors: R W
authors: RW
authors: Strong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006128:Growth; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome