Retransplantation in hepatitis B--a multicenter experience.

Hepatitis B has become one of the most challenging diseases in liver transplantation. Infection of the allograft with subsequent graft failure is common and may prompt consideration of repeat liver transplantation. The aims of this study were to examine the experience in the United States with retransplantation in hepatitis B patients with recurrent disease as well as for other reasons. Questionnaires were mailed to adult liver transplant centers in the United States, requesting information on retransplantation in HBV patients. responses were received from 71% of the centers. Thirty-eight patients were retransplanted, 20 for recurrent HBV and 18 for other reasons. The survival rate follorving retransplantation for HBV was poor