Liver transplantation: the initial experience of a Canadian centre.

At the University Hospital in London, Ont., 19 patients have received 24 liver transplants. The commonest indications for transplantation were primary biliary cirrhosis and cirrhosis from chronic active hepatitis. The first three patients in the series died of infectious complications. Eleven of the subsequent 16 recipients are alive from 5 months to 2 1/2 years after transplantation. Eight patients who are alive more than 1 year after the operation have an excellent quality of life. Cyclosporine and steroids in combination are used for immunosuppression. With current surgical techniques, modern immunosuppression and good patient selection, the restoration of patients with advanced irreversible liver disease to good health by liver transplantation is a realistic goal. Much effort and considerable resources are required to run a liver transplant program.