Chinese Medical Sciences Journal 2002;17(1):44-46

Liver transplantation in patients with fulminant hepatitis B: experience in Canton, China.

Xiaofeng ZHU 1 ; Guihua CHEN ; Xiaoshun HE ; Minqiang LU ; Guodong WANG ; Changjie CAI ; Yang YANG ; Jiefu HUANG

Affiliations

+expand

Country

China

Language

English

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of orthotopic liver transplantation on fulminant hepatitis B and the preventive efficiency of lamivudine on recurrence of hepatitis B in China.

PATIENTS AND METHODSTen patients with fulminant hepatitis B received orthotopic liver transplantation under veno-venous bypass. All patients had preoperatively serious jaundice, ascites and coagulopathy, and of whom 7 with encephalopathy, 2 with acute renal failure, and 1 with gastro-hemorrhage. RUSULT: Seven of the 10 patients have survived for 3 approximately 18 months, but 3 died of multi-organ failure or recurrence of fulminant hepatitis B. Seven survivors took lamivudine and 6 of them have survived for 3 approximately 18 months without the signs of recurrence of hepatitis B.

CONCLUSIONOrthotopic liver transplantation is an effective therapy for fulminant hepatitis B, and lamivudine may prevent recurrence of hepatitis B after transplantation.