Orthotopic liver transplantation in patients over 60 years old

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcome and relative problems of patients over 60 years old underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS: Data of patients over 60 years old (>or= 60 years old group, n = 59) patients recipients who were 18 to 59 years old (< 60 years old group, n = 500) were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Overall patients survival at 1 year was not significantly different among >or= 60 years old group (66%) and < 60 years group (76%). There were no differences in the operation time, the quantity of blood lost during operation, the days of hospitalization and the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis between the two groups. The incidence rate of acute rejection reaction in >or= 60 years old group was lower. Both the duration of staying in intensive care unit and the time of using ventilator in >or= 60 years old group were longer than the other group. Moreover, the incidence rates of infection and intracerebral hemorrhage were higher in >or= 60 years old group, which were the primary causes of death in this group. CONCLUSION: Even though the complications were higher, recipients over 60 years old underwent OLT have more excellent 1 year survival.