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Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation is surgery to remove a diseased liver and replace it with a
healthy liver from an organ donor. A liver transplant is necessary when disease
makes the liver stop working. Cirrhosis is by far the most common reason for
liver transplantation in adults, a disease in which healthy liver cells are killed
and replaced with scar tissue. The most common reason for transplantation
in children is biliary atresia, a disease in which the ducts that carry bile out
of the liver are missing or damaged.

Liver transplantation is usually done when other medical treatment cannot keep
a damaged liver functioning. About 80 to 90 percent of people survive liver
transplantation. Survival rates have improved over the past several years
because of immune suppressive drugs like cyclosporine and tacrolimus
suppress the immune system and keep it from attacking and damaging the
new liver.

Additional Information on Liver Transplantation

Liver Transplantation Factsheet from Hepatitis C Council of NSW

Hepatitis C Council of NSW

HCCNSW
PO Box 432
DARLINGHURST   NSW   1300
AUSTRALIA

PHONE: 02 9332 1853    
FAX: 02 9332 1730    
Email: hccnsw@hepatitis.org.au
Website: www.hepatitisc.org.au
__________________________________________________________________

American Liver Foundation

75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 1-800-GO-LIVER (465-4837)
Email: info@liverfoundation.org
Website: www.liverfoundation.org