Long-term follow-up results of pediatric liver transplants at our center

Abstract

The only curative treatment for irreversible liver damage and chronic liver disease is liver transplantation (LT).
 Objectives: to determine long‑term follow‑up results, liver graft functions, and survival rates of pediatric LT recipients at our center.
 Materials and methods. All pediatric LT recipients performed between March 15, 1990 and August 11, 2022 were included in our study. Demographic characteristics, preoperative clinical features, LT indications, early and late postoperative complications, survival rates, and long‑term outcomes of pediatric LT recipients were evaluated.
 Results. Between March 15, 1990, and August 11, 2022, we performed 341 pediatric LTs (307 from living related donors and 34 from deceased donors). The most common indication for LT was biliary atresia. There were 3 hepatic vein, 5 portal vein, and 54 hepatic artery complications. Biliary stenosis was observed in 62 patients, and biliary leakage was observed in 54 patients. The overall five‑year survival rate was 84.1 %, and the 10‑year survival rate was 77.7 %.
 Conclusions. According to the long‑term outcomes of pediatric liver transplants performed in our center, liver transplantation is a successful treatment option for pediatric patients with end‑stage liver disease and irreversible liver damage. The patients’ survival rates are also satisfactory.