Current results with orthotopic liver grafting in Cambridge/King's College Hospital series.

In the 12 months from 1 August 1983 to 31 July 1984, 29 orthotopic liver transplant operations were performed in 26 patients, 10 of whom were aged 20 or under. Results in this younger age group were very satisfactory, nine of the patients being alive at review, giving an actuarial predicted one year survival of 75%. In the older age group seven of the 16 patients were alive, perioperative bleeding and infection in association with malnutrition being major factors in the nine who died. Two patients in whom a blocked portal vein required disobliteration at the time of the operation made excellent recoveries. An increase in availability of donor organs made possible a greater use of retransplantation, and for the first time transplantation for severe liver failure due to subacute hepatic necrosis was successful.