Orthotopic liver transplantation for benign hepatic neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency and outcome of liver transplantation for symptomatic, unresectable, benign hepatic neoplasms.

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SETTING: Presbyterian University Hospital, a tertiary care referral center for liver transplantation affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh (Pa).

PATIENTS: All 3239 liver transplant recipients at the University of Pittsburgh from January 1981 until January 1993.

RESULTS: Twelve (0.37%) of 3239 patients required liver transplantation for benign, highly symptomatic hepatic neoplasms that were unresectable. Origins included adenoma (n = 6), mesenchymal hamartoma (n = 2), massive hepatic lymphangiomatosis (n = 1), hilar fibrous angiodysplasia (n = 1), focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 1), and hemangioma (n = 1). There were three perioperative deaths and two late deaths at 56 and 84 months. The remaining patients are alive, with follow-up ranging from 36 to 145 months. Median survival for the nine patients who survived the perioperative period is 88 months. The early deaths were attributable to hemorrhagic complications (n = 2) and necrotizing pancreatitis (n = 1). The two late deaths were due to disseminated aspergillosis and hepatitis-associated cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION: Patients with severe symptoms from benign hepatic neoplasms that are not resectable can be treated by total hepatectomy and orthotopic liver transplantation, with the expectation of good long-term results.