IS LIVER-TRANSPLANT JUSTIFIABLE IN ALCOHOLIC CIRRHOSIS

The experience of a number of pioneering centers has shown that liver transplantation affords good results in alcoholic cirrhosis in terms of patient survival and social reinsertion. However, this option should be weighed thoroughly in view of its very high cost to society and the increasing difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number of organs. The first requirement is that the patient cease alcohol consumption at least 6 months prior to transplantation, since alcohol resumption seems unlikely after such a period of time; also, this delay may result in regression of liver disease, making transplantation unnecessary. Finally, approval by an ethical committee seems advisable.