LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

The initial advances in liver transplantation were achieved by refinem ent in surgical techniques, whereas the more recent improvements in ou tcome have been achieved by better patient selection and more effectiv e and safer immunosuppression, in 1995 several studies further defined the indications for liver transplantation, particularly for acute and chronic viral hepatitis, as well as provided more information on post transplant outcomes for specific pretransplant diagnoses. Further info rmation regarding the use of immunosuppression, particularly tacrolimu s, and improved understanding of acute and chronic rejection were also reported this past year. Finally, the critical problem of an inadequa te supply of donors has led to novel approaches to increase the availa bility of donor organs for liver transplantation.