Liver transplantation is the process by which a diseased or
poorly functioning liver is removed and replaced with a healthy
liver from a donor. Today, liver transplantation provides a 90%
chance of 1 year survival and a 80% chance of long-term survival
for patients who would otherwise survive only 12 to 18 months.
The difficulty for the patient is that the decision to undergo a
transplantation has to be made while they are still in
reasonably good condition because unlike a kidney transplant
there is no liver substitute (like dialysis for kidney failure)
that will keep them alive when their liver has failed
completely. Liver transplantation therefore has to be planned in
anticipation of liver failure Ė so information is vital. Liver
disease places a huge burden on our population: Approximately 5%
people suffer from chronic hepatitis B Approximately 2% people
suffer from hepatitis C Aapproximately 6 million are alcoholics
The epidemics of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome add to
this burden. By conserva