Effect of Chronic Rhinosinusitis on Liver Transplant Patients

Abstract

Background The use of immunosuppressant after liver transplantation makes transplant recipients susceptible to infections. Most infections that can alter mortality after liver transplantation are wound infections, urinary infections, and pneumonias. There is no evidence, however, that chronic rhinosinusitis can alter mortality in patients awaiting liver transplantation. We have therefore assessed the association of rhinosinusitis with mortality and prognosis after liver transplantation. Methods The clinical records of 996 patients who received liver transplants between January 1995 and March 2005 were reviewed and the collected data were analyzed. Results Of the 996 patients who received liver transplants between January 1995 and March 2005, 28 (2.8%) had pretransplant rhinosinusitis. Of the latter, 5 patients were treated medically, 1 patient had endoscopic sinus surgery, and 22 patients had no treatment before liver transplantation. Untreated rhinosinusitis before liver transplantation was associated with aggravated rhinosinusitis after transplantation but did not contribute to an increase in infectious mortality or overall mortality rate. Conclusion Pretransplant chronic rhinosinusitis does not contribute to mortality in patients undergoing liver transplantation.