Liver transplantation at Tianjin First Central Hospital.

Liver transplantation has expanded rapidly in China. The Tianjin First Central hospital is currently the largest liver transplant center in China. During 2005, this center performed 647 liver transplants and 436 kidney transplants. Since the liver transplantation program began in 1998, this center has performed 1,803 liver transplants and 1,233 kidney transplants. Significant progress has been made during the past 5 years in surgical technique, immunosuppression and patient care after transplantation. Graft survival rates have also improved significantly. The one-year graft survival rate for 843 patients who received a liver transplant between 2001 and 2004 was 87.3%. About half of these patients suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma. We will continue to evaluate donor and recipient factors to maximize outcomes of liver and kidney transplantation.