Abstract

Background: Rehabilitation after orthotropic liver transplantation (OLTx) is a
difficult clinical problem due to severe co-morbidities and complications. Aim of the study: Evaluation of the rehabilitation progress in early postoperative period in patients after OLTx depending on the reason of liver transplantation.
Material/Method: 309 OLTx recipients transplanted between 2003 and 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. There were 161 women and 148 men. We analyzed results of early postoperative rehabilitation measured by time of achieving full active upright position by the patient after surgery. We divided our patients into 5 groups due to aetiology of liver failure. Group A (n=89, mean age 46.7 years) consisted of patients with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis B, C or both. Group B (n=70, mean age 43.8 years) was patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Group C (n=44, mean age 46 years) - patients with post-alcoholic liver cirrhosis, group D (n=23, mean age 29.7) with acute and sub acute liver failure and group E (n=83, mean age 37.4 years) with other reasons of liver failure. All patients were included in identical rehabilitation program.
Results: Mean time of achieving full active upright position of the patient was
dependent on the reason of liver failure. The best results were in group A and
E. The difference was statistically signifi cant between group A, E and D.
Conclusions: Rehabilitation results in early postoperative period in patients after OLTx are dependent on primary liver disease.

Keywords: ethical aspects, Liver Transplantation