Living related liver transplantation: medical and social aspects of a controversial therapy
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr 55, 45122 Essen, Germany
- Correspondence to:
Professor CE Broelsch, Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr 55, 45122 Essen, Germany;
christoph.broelsch{at}uni-essen.de
- Accepted 17 July 2001
Abstract
There are more than 15 000 patients waiting for a liver transplant in the USA, with an average waiting time of 468 days and a mortality rate as high as 15–20%. Until artificial organs or xenotransplantation becomes a reality, living donor liver transplantation remains the best option for patients with end stage liver disease.
