LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION - TREATMENT OF PATI ENTS FROM INDICATION TO REHABILITATION

Liver transplantation is indicated during the terminal stages of hepat ic cirrhosis. We differentiate between elective, late and emergency tr ansplantations. After acute therapy most patients undergo a period of rehabilitation as part of their so-called follow-up treatment procedur e. The primary objectives of rehabilitation are social reintegration, physical reconditioning and education in terms of hygiene, dietetics a nd medication. Monitoring of complications requires regular laboratory tests as well as frequent ultrasonographic investigations to rule out rejection or diabetes mellitus which develops in around half of the p atients. Postoperative reinfection may be expected in a high proportio n of patients with hepatitis B or C infections. About 20% of transplan t patients are infected with the hepatitis G virus during transplantat ion.