Aim of the present study is to examine the outcome of re-transplantation for HCV recurrence at our center. Between December 1994 through November 2003, all patients who received retransplantation were examined. The patients with documented recurrence of HCV were identified and examined in detail.
Six patients, all male, mean age of 47.7+ 6. 3 were retransplanted for recurrence of HCV. Five patients received a 2nd graft and one received a third. The mean interval to recurrence from previous transplant was 48 + 34 months. The mean HCV RNA was 614160 + 364681IU/ml. All of the patients were genotype 1A. Two of the six patients received anti HCV treatment consisting of Pegintron and ribavirin prior to retransplantation. Patient survival: One patient died from sepsis three months after retransplantation. The remaining five patients (83.3%) are alive with a follow up time ranging from 5 to 35 months post retransplantation. Graft survival: One patient required retransplantation for hepatic artery thrombosis. Overall actual graft survival was (66.7%) Recurrence after retransplantation: Out of five patients, two have documented recurrence of disease with HAI scores of 6/18, 3/18 and fibrosis scores of 2/6 and 2/6 respectively. Both of these patients have been initiated on anti-HCV treatment. Initial results of retransplantation for HCV recurrence in carefully selected patients have been satisfactory, however long-term results are still awaited.