How long will my liver transplant last? Liver transplant can have excellent outcomes. Recipients have been known to live a normal life over 30 years after the operation.
The long-term outlook for a liver transplant is generally good. More than 9 out of every 10 people are still alive after 1 year, around 8 in every 10 people live at least 5 years, and many people live for up to 20 years or more.
Their analysis revealed that 25 of them had survived for more than 100 years. Fourteen of these were still in their recipient, and the oldest liver the researchers found was 108 years old, per New Scientist's Carissa Wong.
Overall, infections are the most frequent cause of mortality in males and females, though they are significantly higher in females. In our cohort, the main causes of mortality within the first year after transplantation were infections and surgical complications in both sexes.
Survival rates
86 percent still alive 1 year after surgery. 78 percent still alive 3 years after surgery. 72 percent still alive 5 years after the surgery. 53 percent still alive 20 years after the surgery.
Liver transplant can have excellent outcomes. Recipients have been known to live a normal life over 30 years after the operation.
After 1-year, survival was 82 percent for patients over 65, 86 percent for patients 60-64 years old, and 83 percent for patients under 60. After 5 years, the survival rates were 73 percent, 80 percent and 78 percent respectively (these differences were not statistically significant).
Infections continue to be one of the main complications that can contribute to the patient's death. More than half of transplanted patients have at least one infections complication and an infection is responsible of more than half of the deaths in liver transplant recipients.
Liver transplantation is an ultra-major operation and probably the most difficult of all transplant operations. The hospital mortality rate after liver transplantation has ranged from 2% to 16% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, most series reporting a rate of about 10%.
Complications following transplantation
The most common problems in the liver transplant recipient are the following: Acute graft rejection. Vascular thrombosis. Biliary leak or stricture.
Excessive brain swelling, or severe infection are signs that a patient may not be able to withstand a liver transplant.
If the previous problem with your liver was caused by alcohol misuse, you are advised not to drink alcohol again. It may also be a good idea not to drink alcohol even if your liver problem was not alcohol-related, although in some cases it may be fine to do so in moderation. Speak to your care team for advice.
Retransplantation is a therapeutic option when a first liver graft fails. The second operation is technically more complex, and survival is shorter than that of the first graft, but in some cases it is the only treatment option for the patient.
The mean age was 52.2 ± 9.0 years.
One reason for this is that older adults with liver disease often have many other health challenges which make recovery from transplant surgery more difficult. However, researchers have recently reported successful liver transplants in older adults—even in people who are in their 80's.
Different types of rejection need different treatments. The risk of rejection is commonest in the first 6 months after liver transplant (early). Beyond this, as long as patients remember to take their prescribed immune suppression, at the correct dosage, late rejection is much less common.
This is normal. There is no right way to feel after a transplant. You may even have feelings that seem to conflict (like feeling grateful and angry). Having negative feelings does not mean that you are bad, ungrateful, or do not deserve your new liver.
Main complications of a liver transplant: It is a major operation and comes with surgical risks, like bleeding. Infections and bile duct complications are common after a liver transplant. You will need to take strong medicines to suppress your immune system.
Liver failure
There is a risk that your remaining liver doesn't work after your operation.
If rejection occurs, you may experience some mild symptoms, although some patients may continue to feel fine for a while. The most common early symptoms include a fever greater than 100° F or 38° C, increased liver function tests, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and fatigue.
There is approximately a 10% to 20% long-term risk of recurrence for cholestatic liver disorders, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Recurrence can occur within months after OLT but generally it takes years for the recurrence to occur.
The pooled rate of post liver transplant survival for patients ≥70 years at 1-year was 78.7% (95% CI 72.6–83.7; I2=74%) (Forest Plot: Fig. 1), at 3-years was 61.2% (95% CI 52.3–69.5; I2=87%) (Forest Plot: Fig. 2), and at 5-years was 48.9% (95% CI 39.3–58.6; I2=96%) (Forest Plot: Fig. 3).
In general, about 75% of people who undergo liver transplant live for at least five years. That means that for every 100 people who receive a liver transplant for any reason, about 75 will live for five years and 25 will die within five years.
People with cirrhosis of the liver have a life expectancy of between two and 12 years. If you have early-stage cirrhosis, treatment and lifestyle changes can help you live longer. People with advanced cirrhosis of the liver have a much shorter life expectancy.