Korean J Gastroenterol.
2000 Feb;35(2):212-218.
Factors Influencing the Early Outcome Following Liver Transplantation for Biliary Atresia
Abstract
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative factors influencing
the short-term outcome after liver transplantation (LT) for biliary atresia.
METHODS
From December 1994 through August 1998, a total of 18 children with biliary atresia received LTs at Asan Medical Center. The children were divided into two groups: group A and group B. Group A was characterized by longer hospitalization (>60 days) or early mortality and group B by shorter hospitalization (<60 days). Preoperative clinical status, each indication of LT and the sum of the indications were compared between two groups.
RESULTS
Median age of the patients was 15 months and median body weight was 8 kg. Median follow up period was 18 months and 16 children were alive. Among 18 children, indications of LT were progressive jaundice in 17, uncontrolled ascites in 12, synthetic dysfunction in 12, variceal bleeding in 7, intractable cholangitis in 7, and failure to thrive in 11 children. Only pretransplant serum albumin level and the sum of the number of indications were identified to be significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that early transplantation before progressive deterioration of patient's clinical status is needed in order to shorten hospital stay and improve outcome.
