Embargoed until 16-Oct-2000

STUDY SHOWS SPEED OF LIVER REGENERATION AFTER TRANSPLANTS

SAN FRANCISCO -- The development of adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLTx) about two years ago vastly increases the pool of potential donors for patients in need of healthy livers. The surgery offers new hope to patients with liver failure, including the 12,000 individuals in this country currently waiting for transplants.

Research conducted by anesthesiologists at the Medical College of Virginia, Commonwealth University in Richmond, presents encouraging evidence of LDLTx's safety and viability.

"Successful transplantation depends on the ability to quickly produce normal liver mass and function in the recipient," anesthesiologist Mitsuru Nakatsuka, M.D., said at the .

Copies of the ASA annual meeting program book program as well as the scientific abstracts and refresher course outlines will be available in the press room.

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