The early complications of liver transplantation in children

Objective To review the early complications of liver transplantation (LT) in children. Methods Between Nov. 2001 and Dec. 2003, seven children (8 times) underwent LT (living-related LT in 2 cases, reduced-size LT in 4, split LT in 2, and retransplantation in 1) in our institute. They were immediately transferred to ICU for custodial care and observation of coagulation and biochemistry. Immunosuppressants and antibiotics were prophylactically administered after operation. Recipients accepted Doppler examination for hepatic blood flow everyday. The early complications were recorded and analyzed. Results One recipient died of renal failure on the 5 th day of postoperation. Other postoperative complications included massive intraabdominal bleeding (n=2), portal vein thrombosis (n=1), hepatic vein stenosis (n=1), atelectasis of upper right lung (n=5), digestive tract bleeding (n=3), ARDS and pneumonia (n=2), intraabdominal infection (n=1), wound infection (n=2), viral infection (n=3), impaired renal function (n=2), bile duct complication (n=2), and acute rejection (n=2). Conclusion It is necessary to keep children under surveillance to prevent and manage the early complications of LT.