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World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2014; 20(18): 5363-5374
Published online May 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5363
Published online May 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5363
Liver transplantation: Fifty years of experience
Alice Tung Wan Song, Rafael Antonio Arruda Pecora, Vincenzo Pugliese, Luiz Augusto Carneiro D’Albuquerque, Edson Abdala, Liver and Digestive Organ Transplantation Unit, Gastroenterology Department, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
Alice Tung Wan Song, Vivian Iida Avelino-Silva, Infectious Diseases Department, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
Alice Tung Wan Song, Edson Abdala, Hepatitis Research Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Department, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
Author contributions: Avelino-Silva VI, Song ATW, Pecora RAA, Pugliese V, D’Albuquerque LAC and Abdala E performed the literature review, wrote the paper, drafted the article and approved the final version to be published.
Correspondence to: Alice Tung Wan Song, MD, PhD, Liver and Digestive Organ Transplantation Unit, Gastroenterology Department, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil. alicetwsong@gmail.com
Telephone: +55-11-26613323 Fax: +55-11-26613323
Received: September 29, 2013
Revised: January 19, 2014
Accepted: February 26, 2014
Published online: May 14, 2014
Revised: January 19, 2014
Accepted: February 26, 2014
Published online: May 14, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Liver transplantation is currently considered a life-saving procedure. Over the past 50 years, the world has witnessed evolving strategies in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive drugs, intensive pre- and post-operative care, and, the prevention of disease recurrence and has discussed policies of organ allocation. This review highlights some of these aspects regarding their historical evolution over the past 50 years.