From April 2002 to May 2011, 86-176 patients (49%) who underwent LDLT at our center had the indication of decompensated cirrhosis without hepatocellular carcinoma. Data were expressed in mean values 卤 standard error of the means (range). Patients survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method.
Among the 86 patients with decompensated cirrhosis: Age was 49 卤 2 (1-68) years and 60 (70%) were of male gender. The causes in 25 (29%) were hepatitis B and 25 (29%) hepatitis C as well as one each for hepatitis B/C and B/D coinfections: 9 (10%), alcoholic cirrhosis. MELD score was 18 卤 1 (range = 6-40). In hospital mortality was 6/86 (7%). At 1152 卤 95 (range = 7-3317) days posttransplant follow-up 64 (74%) were alive with 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 84%, 70%, and 70%, respectively. MELD scores did not differ between those who survived and those who died (17.5 卤 8.0 versus 17.8 卤 8.4). No difference was noted in those with MELD < 25 or 鈮?5. In fact, the recipient with the highest MELD score (40) survived.
A high MELD score had no impact on posttransplant survival among cirrhotic patients undergoing LDLT. It should be considered to be an urgent indication rather than a contraindication to LDLT.