Liver transplantation for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (5 cases report)

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of liver transplantation on hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) in late stage.Methods Five HAE cases in late stage failed to be treated by hepatic lobectomy underwent liver transplantation, in which 4 cases were performed under veno-venous bypass and 1 without bypass. Three cases were subjected to veno-venous bypass prior to mobilization of the liver. The end-to-end anastomosis was made between the hepatic artery and hepatic artery, and between the bile duct and bile duct. Two cases received placement of T tube in the bile duct. The mean duration of surgery was 8.3 h. Results One patient was reoperated because of the T tube falling off on the postoperative day 10, and one because of the bile leakage. Four patients recovered completely in the postoperative period, one died of multiple organ failure (MOF) and septi-caemia caused by pneumonia, acute rejection and embolism of the liver artery. Four patients were followed up for 21 months to 37 months, showing a good quality of their life. Conclusion Liver transplantation can be applied in treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in end stage, and can ensure a better clinical result.