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FK 506 is a superior immunosuppressive agent that should improve patient survival after the commonly performed transplant procedures, make feasible transplantations that have been previously impractical, allow immune intervention for serious autoimmune diseases, and create a better spin-off understanding of basic biologic processes including signal transduction.

During the cyclosporine era 1980-1984, 393 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) were performed in 313 patients at the University of Pittsburgh. This paper analyses the long-term results in this group of patients who have been followed-up for a minimum of three years. The results of OLT for different indications are discussed. The five-year survival rates after OLT for metabolic diseases, biliary atresia, primary biliary cirrhosis, posthepatic cirrhosis and primary hepatobiliary cancer are 75%, 68%, 60%, 58.9%, 53.2% and 23.8%, respectively. Recurrence of the primary disease after OLT is rare for benign diseases but rather frequent for malignant ones. The incidence of retransplantation for delayed rejection and for extrahepatic complications is discussed. The quality of life for most of the long-term survivors is good. Because of its good long-term results, OLT should become the therapy of choice in a lot of acute and chronic hepatopathies.