Salvage liver transplantation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma:A Meta-analysis

AIM:To evaluate survival and recurrence after salvage liver transplantation(SLT) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) compared with primary liver transplantation(PLT) using a meta-analysis.METHODS:Literature on SLT versus PLT for the treatment of HCC published between 1966 and July 2011 was retrieved.A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled survival and disease-free rates.A fixed or random-effect model was established to collect the data.RESULTS:The differences in overall survival and disease-free survival rates at 1-year,3-year and 5-year survival rates were not statistically significant between SLT group and PLT group(P > 0.05).After stratifying the various studies by donor source and Milan criteria,we found that:(1) Living donor liver transplantation recipients had significantly higher 1-year survival rate,lower 3-year and 5-year survival rates compared with deceased-donor liver transplantation(DDLT) recipients.And in DDLT recipients they had better 1-year and 5-year disease-free survival rate in SLT group;and(2) No difference was seen in 1-year,3-year and 5-year survival rates between two groups who beyond Milan criteria at the time of liver transplantation.CONCLUSION:SLT can be effectively performed for patients with recurrence or deterioration of liver function after hepatectomy for HCC.It does not increase the perioperative mortality and has a similar long-term survival rates compared to PLT.