Understanding survival rates, success metrics, and transplant outcomes
Liver transplant success rates are high. Currently, the national 1-year survival rate is approximately 90-92% for adult liver transplant recipients. Survival rates continue to improve with advances in surgical techniques and post-transplant care.
Ask: "What is the 1-year survival rate at [center name]?"
Survival rates vary by transplant center. Use our Data Assistant to look up 1-year survival rates for specific centers. Centers that perform more transplants often have higher survival rates due to experience and expertise.
Liver transplant surgery is major surgery with risks, but the rate of dying during surgery (operative mortality) is very low, typically less than 2-3%. Your transplant team will carefully evaluate your overall health to ensure you're a good surgical candidate.
Long-term survival continues to improve. Approximately 75-80% of liver transplant recipients survive 5 years or longer. Many patients live 20 years or more with their transplanted liver. Long-term survival depends on age, overall health, and adherence to medications.
Centers with the best survival rates tend to be high-volume centers with experienced teams. Use our Data Assistant to compare survival rates across centers. However, consider other factors like wait time, location, and your specific medical needs.
Patient survival refers to whether the patient is alive. Graft survival refers to whether the transplanted liver is still functioning. A patient can outlive their graft (requiring re-transplant) but a graft failure doesn't necessarily mean the patient has died.
Mortality rates vary by center and patient population. High-volume centers often treat sicker patients, which can affect their statistics. Use our Data Assistant to compare mortality and survival rates at different centers.
Factors affecting survival include: age, overall health, cause of liver disease, MELD score at transplant, surgical complications, infection, rejection episodes, and adherence to medications. Choosing an experienced center and following post-transplant care instructions improve outcomes.
Yes, survival rates tend to be higher in younger patients. However, many older adults successfully undergo liver transplantation. Your transplant team will evaluate your biological age and overall health rather than just your chronological age.
Survival rates can vary based on your underlying liver disease. Some conditions like hepatitis C now have excellent outcomes due to effective treatments. Your transplant team can provide survival statistics specific to your diagnosis and overall health profile.