Liver transplantation.

Liver transplantation celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1988. However, only in the last decade has it been accepted as a viable treatment alternative for patients with end-stage liver disease. There currently are over 70 centers in the United States with liver transplant programs. Over 1500 transplants were performed in 1988, and there were 644 people awaiting suitable liver donors, with an average of 150 to 200 patients added to the list each month. This growth has resulted from many factors, including improved operative techniques and anesthetic management, immunosuppressive therapies, and improvements in donor recovery, which has served to increase the acceptable organs available for transplantation. The future of liver transplantation, however, may be somewhat uncertain. Will the cost of patient care continue to be supported by the economy? The goal of liver transplantation is simple: to provide the patient with a better quality and longer life. The question remains, is this a goal that society will deem financially feasible?