Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy. Comparison before and after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Sixty-two patients were evaluated before and after liver transplantation on a battery of neuropsychologic tests measuring hepatic encephalopathy. Compared to controls, deficits were found on tasks measuring memory and visuospatial capacity prior to transplantation. Most of these deficits were ameliorated following the surgery. It is concluded that functional psychological capacity is restored to a large extent, but not completely, following orthotopic liver transplantation.