Liver transplantation has been universally recognized to improve survival of patients suffering from end-stage (Pugh C) alcoholic cirrhosis. However, for Pugh B patients, the benefit of liver transplantation remains to be demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to compare the outcome of Pugh B patients with alcoholic cirrhosis randomly assigned for immediate liver transplantation (group 1) or standard treatments (group 2).

120 patients (60 per group) were included. The therapeutic strategy defined by randomization was achieved in 68% of group 1 patients and 75% of group 2 patients (NS). All-causes death and cirrhosis-related death were not different in group 1 and group 2 patients: the five-year survival rate was 58% in group 1 and 69% in group 2 patients (NS). Through multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of long-term survival were absence of ongoing alcohol consumption (p<0.001), recovery from Pugh C (p=0.046), and baseline Pugh score<8 (p=0.029). Liver transplantation was associated with a higher rate of de novo malignancies (30.4% vs. 7.8%, OR=5.1, p=0.001).

Inclusion Criteria:

• cirrhosis
• age 18-65yrs
• Pugh B
• written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• HIV, HBV or HCV infection
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• Pugh A or Pugh C cirrhosis
• creatinin >200µMol/L
• sepsis
• psychiatric disorders
• extrahepatic neoplasia