Alternative transplant procedures for acute liver failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) is associated with significant morbid- ity and mortality. The outcome is highly unpredictable and recov- ery depends on several factors. Patients can deteriorate with increasing encephalopathy, coagulopathy and progress to multior- gan failure (MOF). In such patients, liver transplantation (LT) is the only current potential cure. Orthotopic liver transplantation remains the standard procedure for LT in ALF, however, other surgical options have been explored. This review summarises the use of a variety of alternative transplant procures for the treat- ment of acute liver failure including : Two stage OLT, Auxiliary liver transplant, Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), and ABO incompatible liver transplant. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2010, 73, 374-379).