Alcoholic cirrhosis is a good indication for liver transplantation, even for cases of recidivism

Background/Aims-Alcoholic cirrhosis remains a controversial indication for liver transplantation, mainly because of ethical considerations related to the shortage of donor livers. The aim of this study was to review experienc e to date, focusing on survival rates and complications, and the effect of alcohol relapse on outcome and alterations in marital and socioprofessional status. Methods-The results for 53 patients transplanted for alcoholic cirrhosis be tween 1989 and 1994 were compared with those for 48 patients transplanted f or nonalcoholic liver disease. The following variables were analysed: survi val, rejection, infection, cancer, retransplantation, employment and marita l status, alcoholic recurrence. The same variables were compared between al cohol relapsers and non-relapsers. Results-Recovery of employment was the only significantly different variabl e between alcoholic (30%) and non-alcoholic patients (60%). Two factors inf luenced survival in the absence of alcohol recidivism: age and abstinence b efore transplantation. For all other variables, there were no differences b etween alcoholic and non-alcoholic patients, and, within the alcoholic grou p, between relapsers and non-relapsers. The recidivism rate was 32%. Conclusion-The data indicate that liver transplantation is justified for al coholic cirrhosis, even in cases of recidivism, which did no affect surviva l and compliance with the immunosuppressive regimen. These good results sho uld help in educating the general population about alcoholic disease.