Rescue liver transplantation for post-hepatectomy liver failure- single center retrospective analysis

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Liver transplantation (LT) is a well-established method applied for the treatment of various liver diseases, including primary and secondary malignancies, as well as acute liver failure triggered by different mechanisms. In turn, liver failure (PHLF) is the most severe complication observed after liver resection (LR). PHLF is an extremely rare indication for LT. The aim of the present study was to assess the results of LT in patients with PHLF. Methods Relevant cases were extracted from the prospectively collected database of all LTs performed in our center. All clinical variables, details of the perioperative course of each patient and long-term follow-up data were thoroughly assessed. Results Between January 2000 and August 2023, 2703 LTs were carried out. Among them, six patients underwent LT for PHLF, which accounted for 0.2% of all patients. The median age of the patients was 38 years (range 24–66 years). All patients underwent major liver resection before listing for LT. The 90-day mortality after LT was 66.7% (4 out of 6 patients), and all patients experienced complications in the posttransplant course. One patient required early retransplantation due to primary non-function (PNF). The last two transplanted patients are alive at 7 years and 12 months after LT, respectively. Conclusions In an unselected population of patients with PHLF, LT is a very morbid procedure associated with high mortality but should be considered the only life-saving option in this group.

Keywords

• Liver failure
• Rescue liver transplantation
• Liver resection
• Complications
• Outcomes