title: Liver transplantation in Indian Armed Forces-initial experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study retrospectively analyses the initial experience of liver transplantation (LT) in the Indian Armed Forces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three patients underwent LT at Army Hospital (R&R) Delhi Cantt. between March 2007 and March 2011. Of these 35 patients underwent deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was carried out in 18 patients. The surgical techniques, complications and mortality were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A high consent rate of 35.9% for organ donation was achieved by the Armed Forces Organ Retrieval and Transplantation Authority (AORTA). Biliary complications occurred in five patients (9.4%). However, most of them could be managed by endoscopic interventions. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) occurred in five patients (9.4%). Of these, two DDLT grafts were revascularised following HAT, by creating extra-anatomic arterial conduits with excellent outcome. The overall mortality was 18.8% (n = 10). There was no significant difference in the overall complications or mortality in patients undergoing DDLT or LDLT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall survival and morbidity in this study is comparable to those from other centres. Urgent revascularisation of grafts following HAT should be attempted as it can salvage grafts with satisfactory outcome. There is a reduction in the incidence of biliary complications with refinements in surgical techniques.
authors.affiliation: Commandant, Military Hospital, Agra, Agra Cantt. - 282001.
authors.forename: Anupam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Senior Advisor (Surgery & GI Surgery), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: Cs
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naidu
authors.affiliation: Consultant (CTVS Anaesthesia), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: Gs
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.affiliation: Senior Advisor (Paediatric Anaesthesia), INHS Asvini, Colaba, Mumbai.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.affiliation: Senior Advisor, (Gastroenterology), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.affiliation: Senior Advisor, (Gastroenterology), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: Bhaskar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nandi
authors.affiliation: Transplant Coordinator, Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: Pradhi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nambiar
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Pathology), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: Renu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madan
keywords: AORTA; DDLT; Indian Armed Forces; LDLT