title: Early results of a new liver transplant program in Szczecin, Poland.
abstract: New liver transplant programs have usually been associated with a significant learning curve. This learning curve, however, can be minimized or avoided if certain conditions are met. In this paper we describe the establishment of a new liver transplant program in Szczecin, Poland and present its early results. Four members of the team underwent training in clinical liver transplantation in major centers in Europe. Transplant protocols were then adopted, all the necessary facilities set up, and multidisciplinary team created. Between February 2002 and August 2003, 22 adult orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) were performed in 21 patients (13 male; mean age 46.3 years; range 33-62), including I retransplant for early hepatic artery thrombosis. Eighteen (86%) patients are alive between 4 and 22 (median 11) months after OLT. Seventeen patients have normal liver function and 14 of them have resumed full life activity. Three patients died: one of bacterial peritonitis (day 6), one of chronic rejection with allograft failure (month 4) and one following massive stroke (month 10). Surgical complications occurred in 7 patients (33%). We believe that proper training of vital team members at established transplant centers with good results, availability of adequate equipment and all the facilities required with strict adherence to transplant protocols are all paramount for a successful start of a liver transplant program.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, M. Curie Hospital, Szczecin, Poland. maciejwojcicki@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wójcicki
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lubikowski
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czupryńska
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jarosz
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sluzar
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeair
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Surudo
authors.forename: Janina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andrzejewska
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Syczewska
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butkiewicz
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myśliwiec
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Umiński
authors.forename: Zenon
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Czajkowski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D016896:Treatment Outcome