Surgical aspects of liver transplantation

Abstract:

Liver transplantation is surgically the most complex transplantation, except for a multi-organ transplantation. It is complex to perform due to the delicacy and intricate availability of the structures that need to be preserved and reconstructed during the transplantation, the need to clamp major vascular structures with a consequent impact on haemodynamics, and significant bleeding that usually accompanies the surgery. Liver transplantation is a vital transplant because there is no mechanical substitute for a functional liver. The annual survival of liver transplant patients operated at “Merkur” University Hospital is about 85%, and the 5-year survival is about 79%, which is longer than average reported by ELT RA (European Registry of Liver Transplant). Due to a significant progress in the organ donor rate in Croatia, the number of transplanted organs has increased, including the number of liver transplants per million population. Thus, Croatia has become one of the best ranking countries in this area of transplantation medicine in the world. 

Key words:
liver transplantation; registers; survival rate