Re: Repeat Organ Transplantation

[Guest guest]

The most recent survival statistics show that repeat liver transplant

have about a 15% lower graft survival rate than first transplants at

1, 3 and 5 years (67%, 60%, and 53% vs. 83%,75%, and 69%)

http://www.optn.org/AR2006/Chapter_IX_AR_CD.htm?cp=10#figure_ix_19

(from the liver section of CHAPTER IX - Repeat Organ Transplantation

in the United States, 1996-2005 of the OPTN / SRTN Annual Report). But

the raw statistics don't tell the whole story. Almost half of

retransplants occur within the first six months. I think that many of

these retransplants done as Status 1 are at a increased risk of graft

failure because they have not recovered from the initial transplant,

leaving them weaker and more vulnerable.

The report does not break down the data to show survival relative to

time since first transplant, but it does show that second

transplantees have a larger percentage of Status 1's and higher MELD

scores than initial transplantees. When recurrent PSC is diagnosed, if

it progresses to the point of needing another transplant, it is

approached almost the same as the original transplant. You may be

significantly older, and that can be a drawback, but in general your

body will have recovered from the trauma of the first transplant and

be as ready as you can make it for another. So I believe you have as

good a chance the second time around as the first.

Tim R

>

> I need advice before I go insane. I was transplanted on 12/25/2004 and

> on Tuesday I was diagnosied with reoccurent PSC. ... My question

is, since I

> am a tranplant receipant already, does that make my chances of survival

> shorter the second time around?

>