Single-center experience of transplantation for polycystic liver disease.

BACKGROUND

Polycystic liver disease (PLD) may lead to massive hepatomegaly, abdominal distension, pain, and various degrees of dyspnea. The surgical treatment of this entity remains controversial.

METHODS

We report our experience from a retrospective analysis of 23 patients suffering from PLD who were treated with liver transplantation (LT) in our institution.

RESULTS

Liver transplantation for PLD patients with extensive hepatic involvement offers excellent symptoms relief. The actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate after transplantation was 86%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience demonstrates that PLD patients with extensive hepatic involvement and who are treated with LT have good long-term prognosis and excellent symptoms relief. LT might be considered in severe PLD cases where conventional surgery is not a curative option, and it must be balanced against the risks of LT and lifelong commitment to immunosuppression.