[Fisher's index as indicator of severity and its course in the postoperative period following liver transplantation in children].

OBJECTIVES: To study the evolution of Fisher index during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied 32 liver transplants performed on 26 pediatric patients, during the first week of the post-operative period. In all cases the BCAA/AAA quotient was determined before transplant, at the time of PICU admission, and on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 after transplant. RESULTS: Compared to control group values, the Fisher index for these patients is significantly lower at pre-transplant (p < 0,0001), upon admission (p < 0,001), and days 1 (p < 0,0001), 2 (p < 0,0001) and 3 (p < 0, 0001). Comparison between non-survivors and survivors shows a significant reduction in the first group on the index in days 1 (p < 0,02), 3 (p < 0,02), 4 (p < 0,005), 5 (p < 0,002), 6 (p < 0,03) and 7 (p < 0,01) of post-transplant. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of the Fisher index can be useful as an indication of the severity of the condition of these kinds of patients, which would help to establish more aggressive treatment to improve prognosis.