OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience of liver retransplantation for patients with poor graft function.

METHODSThe clinical data of 9 patients undergone liver retransplantation at our center from April 1993 to April 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. The main indications for liver retransplantation at our center were early hepatic artery thrombosis (2/9), early portal vein thrombosis (1/9), and biliary tract complication (6/9). Of the 9 patients received liver retransplantation with cadaveric allografts, 3 received classic orthotopic liver transplantation, and 6 piggyback liver transplantation. Roux-en-Y biliary tract reconstruction was performed in 6 patients, Donor spleen vein was used as a conduit between donor portal vein and recipient portal vein in 1, and donor spleen artery as a conduit between donor hepatic artery and recipient aorta in 1.

RESULTSNo perioperative mortality occurred. Of them, 5 had no complications after the operation, 1 had stricture in anastomotic stoma of portal vein, and 3 died in 6 months after the operation.

CONCLUSIONSPoor graft function due to biliary tract complications and vessel complications after primary liver transplantation are the chief indications of liver retransplantation. Liver retransplantation is the only suitable treatment of poor graft function.