[Postoperative complications after orthotopic liver transplantation: clinical analysis of 18 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate experience in diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).


METHODS
Complications, treatment and management following liver transplantation in 16 cases were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Of 16 patients, 5 patients had advanced liver cirrhosis, 7 primary liver carcinoma, 1 liver failure after hepatectomy for liver cancer, 1 Wilson's disease, 1 chronic renal failure and liver cirrhosis and 1 acute live failure. Twelve patients survived, the longest survival was 4 years. Complications following OLT included: intra-abdominal bleeding in 3 cases, intracerebral vascular lesions in 2, pulmonary infection in 6, adult respiratory distress syndrome in 2, suprahepatic inferior vena caval occlusion in 2, hepatic artery thrombus in 1 case, bile duct stone or sludge in 3, bile leakage in 1 case, acute rejection in 2, chronic rejection in 2, acute renal failure in 2. Six patients died during perioperative period, one patient died of intracerebral bleeding, one from adult respiratory distress syndrome, one of acute renal failure  one of hepatic artery thrombus, one of acute rejection and one of liver failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Proper prevention and treatment can effectively reduce complications following OLT during perioperative period. The timely diagnosis, treatment and prophylactics are necessary to prevent these complications.
Su
Shu-ying
SY
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China.
Chen
Huan-wei
HW
Zhen
Zuo-jun
ZJ
Xu
Zhuo-ming
ZM
Ji
Yong
Y
D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies