<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Liver transplantation (LT) is now a well-accepted treatment method for end-stage liver disease and acute liver failure. It is also one of the most expensive treatments. With the advances in technical skills, management of postoperative complications and improvements in immunosuppressive drugs, liver transplantation is the standard treatment for many patients with chronic liver disease. For patients who successfully undergo LT, the probability of long-term graft and recipient survival is generally excellent, with a high likelihood of return to a relatively normal lifestyle. Indications for LT have increased over the last few years and according to the European Liver Transplant Registry, 93 634 LT were performed in Europe till 2010. Until recently Latvia was the last country in Europe, where LT was not performed. This article will review current indications, contraindications, procedure of operation and postoperative care in LT as well as give a brief insight into the first liver transplantation done in Latvia.</p></abstract>

Liver transplantation (LT) is now a well-accepted treatment method for end-stage liver disease and acute liver failure. It is also one of the most expensive treatments. With the advances in technical skills, management of postoperative complications and improvements in immunosuppressive drugs, liver transplantation is the standard treatment for many patients with chronic liver disease. For patients who successfully undergo LT, the probability of long-term graft and recipient survival is generally excellent, with a high likelihood of return to a relatively normal lifestyle. Indications for LT have increased over the last few years and according to the European Liver Transplant Registry, 93 634 LT were performed in Europe till 2010. Until recently Latvia was the last country in Europe, where LT was not performed. This article will review current indications, contraindications, procedure of operation and postoperative care in LT as well as give a brief insight into the first liver transplantation done in Latvia.

Liver Transplantation: Surgical Aspects

Rîga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema iela 16, Rîga, LV-1007, LATVIA

Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Pilsoòu iela 13, Rîga, LV-1002, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

{"article-title":"Liver Transplantation: Surgical Aspects"}

Liver transplantation (LT) is now a well-accepted treatment method for end-stage liver disease and acute liver failure. It is also one of the most expensive...

Liver Transplantation: Surgical Aspects

Published Online: Jun 08, 2013

Page range: 9 - 13

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2013-0002

This content is open access.