Liver transplantation in the experience of the centre commencing the program.

From 1989 to 1999, 43 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) in 40 patients (3 retransplantations) were performed in our Department. The most common indications for OLT were noninflammatory, primary cholestatic liver diseases and postinflammatory liver cirrhosis. Fourty OLT's were done for elective indications, three--on emergency basis, because of fulminant liver failure. The majority of transplantations was performed with classical technique with the excision of retrohepatic vena cava and routine use of the extracorporeal veno-venous bypass. Only in 4 patients the piggyback technique was used and performed without temporary portocaval anastomosis. All 3 patients transplanted for fulminant liver failure died in the perioperative period. Twenty four patients are still alive and well, the longest period of observation exceeding 5 years.

Risks in therapeutic portacaval and splenorenal shunts.

Analyses of the records of 120 patients who underwent portacaval shunting (PCS, 57%) or splenorenal shunting (SRS, 43%) from 1966-1973 disclosed that patients in each group undergoing elective shunts had the same preoperative physical condition and postoperative mortality rates (approximately 20%). Although the post-operative death rate from emergency shunts was 48%, patients having these procedures were poorer risks. Long-term incidences of encephalopathy were the same, irrespective of the type of shunt (PCS, 46%; SRS 36%, P greater than 0.5). Despite comparisons of data most unfavorable for PCS, 5-year survival rates were also the same after either type of shunt (all PCS, 29 +/- 7.5%, SRS, 42.0 +/- 7.4%, P = 0.23). The survival rate after elective PCS was also the same as after SRS during the entire 5-year period. However, the survival after all elective PCS and SRS was significantly greater than after emergency PCS (P range = 0.005-0.038); the poorer results of emergency shunting could be partly attributed to the poorer condition of patients selected. A numerical score based on serum bilirubin concentrations, ascites, and urgency of shunting reliably predicts postoperative mortality. Long-term encephalopathy is predicted by a history of encephalopathy and the urgency of shunting.

[Alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis as a cause of portal hypertension]. / Marskosc alkoholowa watroby jako przyczyna objawów nadcisnienia wrotnego.

Basic data on pathomorphology and symptomatology of the alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis accompanied by portal hypertension are discussed. Respective data were compared with the group of cirrhotic patients not abusing alcohol. A high percentage of encephalopathic disorders and nearly 50% of the patients suffering from the hemorrhage from esophageal varices were the first sign of the cirrhosis in both groups. Despite hemorrhage from esophageal varices a few patients obtained surgical help preventing recurrence of the hemorrhage. Liver functional reserve, incidence of encephalopathies and the degree of liver involvement are in favour for non-alcohol cirrhosis. Inflammatory process in the liver, splenomegaly and hypersplenism were more frequent in the liver cirrhosis of non-alcohol origin.