Liver transplantation: an adventure for the anaesthesiologist

Introduction Liver transplantation has become the treatment of choice for endstage liver disease and some cases of acute liver failure. The procedure is extremely complex and requires excellent surgical technique and experienced anaesthesiologists. Patients undergoing liver transplantation have severe liver disease characterized by multisystem disorders that pose many anaesthetic challenges. Due to this fact, extensive preoperative assessment is required. A detailed monitoring of the patient and a careful therapeutic concept is necessary to meet the extraordinary challenges posed by this exciting adventure called liver transplantation. The aim of this review was to discuss the role of the anaesthesiologist in liver transplantation. Conclusion Liver transplantation has evolved over the years. Survival is still increasing gradually in relation to greater expertise in the surgical procedure and management of immunosuppressive therapy. Still, further studies are needed in areas of haemodynamic monitoring, blood and coagulation management to prove its efficiency.