PEDIATRICS Vol. 63 No. 6 June 1979, pp. 825-829
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Liver Replacement for Pediatric Patients

Thomas E. Starzl M.D., Ph.D.1, Lawrence J. Koep M.D.1, Gerhard P.J. Schröter M.D.1, Charles G. Halgrimson M.D.1, Kendrick A. Porter M.D.1, and Richard Weil III M.D.1

1 Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, the University of Colorado, Medical Center, Denver, and the Depatment of Pathology, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London

Between March 1963 and January 1978, 74 patients 18 years of age or younger have had liver replacements at the University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver. The most common cause of native liver failure was biliary atresia (48/74, 65%); the second most common cause was chronic aggressive hepatitis (12/74, 16%). Twenty-nine patients (39%) lived for at least one year, and 16 are still alive one to nine years after transplantation. Technical surgical problems, rejection, and infection were the main causes of death. Improved immunosuppression is needed; nevertheless, the quality of life in the long-term survivors has encouraged continuation of this difficult work.

Submitted on February 5, 1979
Accepted on March 9, 1979