Risk of a 2nd liver transplant

Are second transplants more difficult and if so, why?
What is the success rate of a second transplant compared to the first?
What is the survival rate?( percent)
What makes 2nd time more difficult?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

second transplants that occur more than 30 days after a first transplant unequivocally carry greater morbidity and mortality due to adhesions, renal dysfunction and a myriad of other issues.  The 1 year survival approximates 70% rather than 90-95% for an initial liver transplant.  one's place on a waiting list continues to be predicated on their MELD score; often when a patient's MELD gets close to 30 in a retransplant scenario they are close to becoming too ill to successfully undergo the surgery.

[Bill200]

If I might add a question is the criteria any different to get on the list than the first time's criteria?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

criteria is entirely the same