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DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-922872
Orthotopic liver transplantation in the elderly
Background: There is no consensus as to when age becomes a contraindication to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).
Aims: To assess outcome in older OLT patients.
Methods: We collected data for all OLTs performed in the Republic of Ireland between 1993 and 2004 and divided them into three groups according to age.
Results: 277 patients (142 male) underwent OLT between 1993 and 2004: 222 were under the age of 60, 42 over 60 and 13 over 65. The 5-year survival for all 3 groups was similar at 77%, 78% and 68% (p=0.78). Survival was significantly worse for patients over 60 transplanted for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (p=0.0065). In the over 65 group, 5 year survival was better for female patients (p=0.05). 2 of 13 over 65s (15%) and 4 of 42 over 60s (9.5%) required repeat OLT compared to 26 of 222 (11.7%) in the younger group.
Conclusions: These data support the current practice of performing OLT in patients over 65 years of age, but perhaps older males and older PSC patients should warrant special consideration.