[Liver transplantation in adults: a caseload from Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Chile].
BACKGROUND
The success of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has resulted in its widespread use for different liver diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To report our 8 years experience with adult OLT at Clinica Alemana de Santiago.


METHODS
In all transplantations done at the center, we recorded patient's overall data and survival, postoperative medical and surgical complications and causes of death.


RESULTS
Between November 1993 and September 2001, 51 consecutive OLT were performed in 44 patients (22 females, median age 45 years old). Thirty eight patients presented with chronic and 6 with acute or sub-acute liver failure. Cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatitis C infection were the most common causes for OLT. Postoperative bleeding and extrahepatic biliary complications were seen in 17.6 and 21.5% of cases respectively. Acute rejection, bacterial infections, CMV infection or disease and post OLT hemodialysis were the most common medical complications (51, 31, 19.6 and 19.6% of cases respectively). The overall 1 and 5 years survival rates were 80% and 73% respectively. Considering exclusively the last 22 OLT performed since January 1999, the 1 year survival rate has improved to 91%.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver transplantation in Chile provides a good long term survival with acceptable morbidity, due to a multidisciplinary approach management. The survival rates have improved over the last few years probably due to better surgical techniques, ICU care and immunosuppression. These overall results are comparable with those from other Centers in developed countries.
Hepp
Juan
J
Clínica Alemana, Vitacura 5951, Santiago, Chile.
Ríos
Horacio
H
Suárez
Leopoldo
L
Zaror
Mónica
M
Quiroga
Marta
M
Rodríguez
Gabriela
G
Valderrama
Rodrigo
R
Humeres
Roberto
R
Innocenti
Franco
F
Sanhueza
Edgar
E
Zapata
Rodrigo
R
Cárdenas
Rubén
R
Palacios
José M
JM
Abarca
Juan
J
Montalván
Carlos
C
Noriega
Luis M
LM
Videla
Domingo
D
Reynolds
Enrique
E
Espinoza
Ricardo
R
Sandoval
Renato
R
Rius
Montserrat
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D012086:Reoperation; D015996:Survival Rate