We have now completed 199 transplants.

Currently our clinical research is focusing on:

• Post-transplant treatment for hepatitis C infection.
• Change in immunosupressive drug treatment for deteriorating kidney function.
• Trial of once-a-day immunosuppresive drug treatment.

Annual Report Summary

In the calendar year of 2003 the New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit (NZLTU) undertook 73 liver transplant assessments and performed 38 liver transplants in 37 patients (one re-transplant). Of these 37 patients, 2 have died (one of probable intracerebral infection and the other of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma) and the remaining 35 are all at home (crude survival rate of 95%). Overall programme survival rates are still very acceptable with a one year actual and actuarial survival rate of 93.3% (the national average in the US is 86.6%). Allograft rejection continues to be common, occurring in 39% of patients in 2003, but has proven easy to treat in the majority of cases (with bolus steroids). Two patients required plasmapheresis and/or antilymphocyte antibody treatment for rejection. The paediatric programme continued in 2003 with 6 children receiving 6 liver allografts. It is pleasing to report that all children transplanted thus far (n=13 to date) are alive, out of hospital and well. Similarly, the live donor liver transplant programme continued with one further such transplant (adult-to-child) in 2003. Both donor and recipient are well. As in 2002, the commonest liver disease in recipients was hepatitis C (30%) followed closely by hepatitis B (24%). Waiting times for a liver transplant, on average, have not increased in 2003 (103 days in 2003 versus 124 days in 2002). However, the low cadaveric organ donor rate continues to be of concern given that 7 of the 54 patients (13%) listed for transplantation in 2003 had to be delisted for deterioration or died whilst waiting for a liver to become available. Once again, in 2003, NZLTU imported more Australian livers than were exported. NZLTU continues to be a strong proponent of changes in the organisation of organ donor services in New Zealand. There is a maldistribution of blood group O livers and a suggestion for this to be remedied is included. Read the Full Report >

Our recent Discussion page has generated quite a lot of interest and has been featured in a medical journal. Take a look. Other features include The Liver Story, a simple, straightforward
look at the transplantation process (Flash 4 plug-in required).