Analysis of reoperations after orthotopic liver transplantation: a report of 14 cases

Objective To explore the clinical experience of treating the postoperative complications of orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT) by reoperation.Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of over 200 OLT performed in Fuzhou General Hospital from June 2002 to March 2007 was made.Among 14 cases,17 reoperations(including 1 liver retransplantation) were performed.Results All of the 17 reoperations were performed to treat complications after liver transplantation.The reoperation success rate was 100%.Four patients died at 10th,20th,33rd,and 25th day respectively after reoperation.One case with intra-abdominal bleeding died of renal failure combined with adult respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).One case with hemothorax after thoracocentesis died of severe abdominal cavity and lung infection.One case of hepatico stones and cholangitis died of multiple organ failure(MOF).One died of recurrence and metastasis of carcinoma.The other 10 patients survived with good liver function.Survival rate was 71.4%(10/14).Conclusions The key to improve the success rate of liver transplantation and quality of life after thansplantation is to correctly select the opportune time of reoperation for surgical complications after liver transplantation and make active surgical intervention.