[Orthotopic liver transplantation - recipient selection criteria].

In a great number of patients with progressive liver diseases whose terminal phases are cirrhosis and hepatic insufficiency, liver transplantation is the only feasible therapeutic alternative. However, the undertaking of liver transplantation is largely dependent on the availability of donor organs. Hence, the process of selecting the most adequate recipient is of critical importance from both medicolegal view-point, and in terms of the likelihood of a successful outcome of transplantation.