ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and technical feasibility of salvage liver transplantation (SLT) after liver resection, and its influence on prognosis. MethodsThe clinical data of 289 patients who underwent liver transplantation by cadaveric grafts treating for hepatocellular carcinoma met the UCSF criteria from June 2001 to December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 242 patients underwent primary liver transplantation (PLT, PLT group), and 47 patients underwent SLT for recurrence (SLT group). Perioperative factors and survival were compared between two groups. ResultsThere were no significant differences of age, gender, and pathology of tumor between two groups (Pgt;0.05). The operation time in the SLT group was significantly longer than that in the PLT group 〔(7.1±1.8) h versus (6.4±1.4) h， P=0.004〕. The differences of intraoperative blood loss 〔(2 560.5±2 683.6) ml versus (2 042.9±2 006.2) ml， P=0.173〕 and blood transfusion 〔(13.8±12.9) U versus (9.9±12.6) U， P=0.087〕 were not significant between two groups. The mean interval time from resection to transplantation was (32.8±32.4) months. The median followup was 38.7 months, 3year overall and diseasefree survivals were not significantly different (82.3% versus 75.5%, P=0.312; 78.8% versus 70.1%, P=0.755, respectively) between the SLT group and PLT group. According to intentiontotreat analysis, the 3year overall survival in the SLT group was significantly longer than that in the PLT group (88.4% versus 76.2%, P=0.047). ConclusionsIn selected patients, liver resection prior to transplantation neither increases operative morbidity nor impairs prognosis following liver transplantation. SLT after liver resection, can be an alterative treatment for HCC.