Pediatric liver transplantation experience and outcome in Chile.

INTRODUCTION

In 1994 our group began its experience with pediatric liver transplantation. The experience gained during this period is the largest in the country, positioning the Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna and Clinica Las Condes as major referral centers in the public and private sectors. The aim of this study was to report our experience of our pediatric liver transplantation program during this period.

METHODS

The liver transplantation database of Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna and Clinica Las Condes between January 1994 and July 2011 was reviewed recording age, gender, indications for transplantation, surgical technique, complications, and survival. Survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

During the period described 230 transplantations were performed in 189 pediatric patients. Fifty-five percent were male patients. The average age was 5 years. The main causes of transplantation were biliary atresia (50%), fulminant hepatic failure (25%), and other cholestatic diseases by 10%. Vascular and biliary complications were the leading cause of graft loss and retransplantation. The overall rate of retransplantation at 5 years was 20%. The technique of living donor was used in 28% of the cases. The 1-year patient actuarial survival rate was 80%, 73% at 5 years, and 68% at 10 years. In the last 3 years the survival rate at 1 year exceeds 90%.

DISCUSSION

Our program includes more than 90% of the national liver experience. The incorporation of living donor is a milestone that has enabled us to save many patients who previously died while waiting for an organ. Its use in cases of full acute liver failure has allowed us to dramatically reduce mortality on the waiting list. Our results in the last 3 years reflect the experience that results in a significant decrease in mortality, comparing favorably to other series published in the international literature.