Trenches in Transplant Surgery

Frailty and Sarcopenia in Liver Transplant - Impact and Management


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Frailty and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in patients undergoing liver transplantation, with significant implications for both pre- and post-transplant outcomes. Frailty, often assessed using tools like the Liver Frailty Index (LFI), and sarcopenia, typically measured by CT-based muscle mass, independently predict increased waitlist mortality, longer hospital and ICU stays, higher risk of infections, and reduced post-transplant survival. These conditions often persist or worsen after transplant, especially without targeted intervention. Risk factors include advanced age, malnutrition, decompensated cirrhosis, and alcoholic liver disease. Recent studies emphasize the value of prehabilitation—combining exercise and nutritional support—to reverse or mitigate these risks, while post-transplant rehabilitation remains essential for long-term recovery. Screening for and managing frailty and sarcopenia is now recognized as a critical component of liver transplant care.

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Trenches in Transplant SurgeryBy Sabin Subedi