Cadaveric liver transplantation for fulminant liver failure

Abstract

Fulminant liver failure (FLF) is a life-threatening condition. The mortality rate among patients with developed fulminant liver failure reaches 70 %. Performing liver transplantation from a posthumous donor for fulminant liver failure, the mortality rate, according to various sources, reaches 25.4 – 38.1 %. Up to 25 % of patients with acute liver failure die on the cadaveric liver waiting list without receiving a transplant. In presented clinical case, a 16-year-old patient developed fulminant liver failure in the absence of chronic diseases. Despite the syndromic therapy, hepatic, kidney and cardiovascular failure progressed. The developed depression of consciousness and respiratory failure required the transfer of the patient to artificial ventilation. Coma and multiple organ failure were diagnosed. As a result of interdepartmental cooperation, the patient urgently underwent liver transplantation from a cadaveric donor. The postoperative period proceeded without complications. On the 36th day, the patient was discharged in satisfactory condition for the outpatient stage of treatment. To date, liver transplantation is the only effective and radical treatment for fulminant liver failure.

Keywords

• fulminant liver failure
• orthotopic liver transplantation in a child
• cadaveric liver transplantation in a child