Wai CT, Lee YM, Selamat DS, Tan KC, Tan CK, Lee HL, Kaur M, Lee KH, Aw MM, Quak SH, Isaac J, Lim SG
Correspondence: Dr Seng-Gee Lim, mdclimsg@nus.edu.sg
ABSTRACT
Introduction Liver transplantation is the accepted standard of care for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensated liver cirrhosis, and acute liver failure. Since the first liver transplant done in Singapore in 1990, results have been improving. We review the overall results of liver transplantation over the last 15 years.
Methods All transplant cases from 1990 to 2004 were reviewed retrospectively.
Results 100 liver transplants were performed over the last 15 years; four in the first five years and 96 in the subsequent ten years. Overall one- and five-year survival rates were 80 percent and 78 percent, respectively. 44 were paediatric transplants, of which biliary atresia was the commonest indication for paediatric transplant. 56 were adult transplants of which hepatocellular carcinoma and decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis were the commonest indications for adult transplant. Infection remained the commonest cause of mortality.
Conclusion The number of transplants carried out per year was small due to the low cadaveric donation rate, but the survival of liver transplant patients was comparable to well-established liver transplant centres.
Keywords: chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure, liver transplantation
Singapore Med J 2006; 47(7): 580-583
