[Patient selection and indications for liver transplantation].

Liver transplantation represents an established component of the therapeutic repertoire for irreversible chronic liver diseases. Liver transplantation is confronted by a shortage of donor allografts as well as by an increasing overall number of potentially useful indications, which leads to a rationing of this therapeutic option. Since December 2006 the priority for liver transplantation is determined by the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and not by the length of waiting time. The evaluation of indications which are prioritized according to laboratory values (serum creatine, serum bilirubin and coagulation) and the so-called standard exception categories which have to fulfil specific criteria place increased demands on the interdisciplinary transplantation team, on the evaluation for liver transplantation and the prediction of the success of transplantation required by the Transplantation Act. The establishment and implementation of robust, objective and transparent systems to assess not only preoperative priorities but also postoperative benefits represents a major challenge for transplantation medicine.