Liver transplantation in Italy: preliminary 10-year report. The Monotematica Aisf-Olt Study Group

Ital J Gastroenterol. 1996 Jul-Aug;28(6):343-50.

Abstract

Experience in liver transplantation (OLT) in Italy over a ten-year period is reported. Data were obtained using a multiple-items form collected from Italian liver transplant centres (reference centres) and other Italian institutions actively involved both in the processes of evaluation of the candidates and the follow-up of liver transplant recipients (afference centres). During this period, a total of 1046 liver transplants were performed on 954 patients, with a cumulative proportional survival of 71%. The most common indication for liver transplantation was post-hepatitic cirrhosis due to either hepatitis B virus (+/-hepatitis Delta virus) or hepatitis C virus infection. Good survival rates were observed, particularly in controversial indications, such as alcoholic cirrhosis, post-hepatitic hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, most likely due to proper and careful selection of the patients. Cirrhosis, secondary to an autoimmunity-based liver disease, showed the highest rate of rejection episodes. Infections, in our study population, were the most common cause of death after transplantation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Rejection / epidemiology
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Liver Diseases / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation* / mortality
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents