Objective To summarize the changes of serum ceruloplasmin levels and urinary copper excretion in Wilson’s disease （WD） after living-related liver transplantation(LRLT) and orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT). Methods From September 2000 to November 2003, 140 cases liver transplantation were performed in our Liver Transplantation Center, LRLT and OLT were carried out in 26 patients with WD, three of them had fulminant hepatic failure and the others had end-stage hepatic insufficiency. All the recipients had low serum ceruloplasmin levels 〔(124.8±22.8) mg/L〕 and high urinary copper excretion 〔(1 524.8±328.6) μg/24h〕 before transplantation. The serum ceruloplasmin levels and urinary copper excretion were within normal limits in 22 donors 〔(230.4±29.6) mg/L〕 and ＜50 μg/24h〕. Results All recipients recovered satisfactorily. After operation 1, 3, 6,12 months, in OLT group, serum ceruloplasmin level and urinary copper excretion were (320.2±36.8) mg/L, (380.4±45.6) mg/L, (360.5±37.6) mg/L, (356.2±27.6) mg/L and (240.4±22.8) μg/24h, (86.5±10.6) μg/24h, (54.2±6.8) μg/24h, (46.8±3.4) μg/24h; While in LRLT group, serum ceruloplasmin levels and urinary copper excretion were (216.8±20.4) mg/L, (248.5±32.6) mg/L, (285.4±44.3) mg/L, (260.2±36.6) mg/L and (380.8±37.6) μg/24h, (150.6±24.5) μg/24h, (75.5±9.6) μg/24h, (60.3±5.8) μg/24h. Conclusion OLT and LRLT are curative procedure in WD manifested as fulminant hepatic failure and/or end-stage hepatic insufficiency. After liver transplantation, the serum ceruloplasmin level can increase to its normal range while urinary copper excretion decreases.
