The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Prospective, randomized, mulitcenter, controlled trial of a bioartificial liver in treating acute liver failure. Ann Surg 2004; 239: 660-670.

Published: 1st January 2004

Authors: Demetriou AA, Brown RS Jr, Busuttil RW, Fair J, McGuire B, Rosenthal P et al.

Conclusion

In a study that included 171 patients with fulminant liver failure, survival after 30 days was similar if the artificial liver was used. If confounding factors were accounted for and the analysis confined to those who had not had a transplant, survival was improved with the artificial liver (risk ratio 0.56, p=0.48).

Pubmed Link