OUTCOMES FROM NONEMERGENT ORTHOTOPIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION - IS POSTOPERATIVE CARE BECOMING ROUTINE

The outcome of surgical intensive care unit (SICU) care after nonemerg ent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTX) was evaluated in 168 conse cutive patients over a 6-year period (1/90-12/95). Prospective data co llected included age,first and last SICU day Simplified Acute Physiolo gy Score and Quantitative Therapeutic Intervention System Score, SICU length of stay (LOS), and mortality. The patient population was 61 per cent male and 39 per cent female, with ages ranging from 20 to 75 yea rs. A total of four patients died in the SICU, for a mortality of 2.4 per cent. Over the study period, SICU LOS decreased by 21 per cent, fr om 3.9 +/- 0.7 to 3.1 +/- 0.3 days (P < 0.05), Although no difference in admission severity of illness was observed over the study period, t here was an increase in the intensity of intervention performed on adm ission to the SICU, Over the study period, there was no difference in severity of illness or intensity of intervention upon discharge to flo or care. The decreased SICU LOS did not adversely affect patient morta lity or severity of illness upon SICU discharge during the 6-year peri od. With intensified SICU intervention, nonemergent orthotopic liver t ransplantation patients can have a shorter SICU LOS without adverse ef fects on outcome.