Causes Of Liver Transplantation

Presently, a severe discrepancy exists between the number of liver transplant candidates and the number of donor livers available for transplantation in the United States. The second most common cause of liver disease requiring transplantation is due to alcoholic cirrhosis. Data regarding deaths of listed candidates feeds to controversy regarding the distribution and allocation of donor organs, in particular, criteria for the selection of patients who will remain recovered from alcoholism post-transplant. Other factors contributing to the controversy not only include the inadequate supply of suitable organs, but the high cost of surgery, and the perception that alcoholics have brought on their medical complications through their own negligence and inebriety. …show more content…
Liver transplantation does not cure alcoholism, as evidenced by the fact that roughly 20% of these patients use alcohol following transplant, with one third exhibiting “repetitive or heavy drinking” (Bramstedt & Jabbour, 2006). Medical professionals working in the field of liver transplantation are aware of the continuing concern, often emotionally charged, regarding the justification of the use of liver grafts for alcohol-addicted patients. These concerns have led to the adoption of several guidelines by various transplant centers: contracts between patients and centers, six- month rules, twelve-month rules, enrollment in alcohol rehabilitation, and randomized testing of urine and blood. Unfortunately, the widespread use of these inconclusive instruments by transplant centers has led to their adoption by private insurers or other third-party