Clinical, surgical and histopathological characteristics of liver transplant recipients: An analysis of a large sample from Turkey

Abstract

Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) is the most effective treatment method for end-stage liver failure and acute liver failure, depending on all causes. This study aimed to examine the clinical, surgical, and histopathological characteristics of LT recipients in a referral center in Turkey. Methods: In this single-center study, demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, surgical, and histopathological data of LT recipients aged 18 years or over between December 2017 and February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All subjects were transplanted from live donors and cadavers. Results: The sample included 162 subjects [mean age: 50.1 (18-70) years;male: 64.8%. The proportion of live donor transplantation was 86.4% (n=140)]. The mean follow-up time was 20.5 months (1-39 months). The most common primary indication was hepatocellular carcinoma (n=43, 26.5%) and chronic hepatitis B virus infection-related cirrhosis (n=30, 18.5%). The most common postoperative complication was biliary complications (30.9%). One-year survival was 88.9%, two-year survival was 85.8%, and three-year survival was 83.3%. During the 3-year follow-up, the total graft loss rate was observed by 17.9%, and the mortality rate was 15.4%. Conclusions: The main goal in LT is the long-term survival of the graft and the patient. The present study showed that demographic characteristics, etiological characteristics, postoperative complications, and mortality rates among LT recipients were consistent with the results of other centers around the world.