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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2014; 20(25): 8033-8039
Published online Jul 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i25.8033
Published online Jul 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i25.8033
Challenges in transplantation for alcoholic liver disease
Gabriela A Berlakovich, Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
Author contributions: Berlakovich GA solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Gabriela A Berlakovich, MD, FEBS, Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria. gabriela.berlakovich@meduniwien.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4040040000 Fax: +43-1-4040068720
Received: November 4, 2013
Revised: January 30, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: July 7, 2014
Revised: January 30, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: July 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Transplantation for the treatment of alcoholic cirrhosis is more controversially discussed than it is for any other indication. The greatest concern in this setting is abstinence before and after liver transplantation. The outcome of liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis appears to be determined by the risk of malignancy and cardiovascular disease rather than the relapse of alcoholism after transplantation. A review of the most recent literature on this subject disclosed problems associated with alcoholic liver disease as an indication for transplantation.