To investigate the effect of orthotopic liver transplantation on fulm inant hepatitis B and the preventive efficiency of lamivudine on recurrence of h epatitis B in China. Patients and methods. Ten patients with fulminant hepatitis B received orthotopi c liver transplantation under veno venous bypass. All patients had preoperative ly serious jaundice

ascites and coagulopathy

and of whom 7 with encephalopathy

2 with acute renal failure

and 1 with gastro hemorrhage. Rusult. Seven of the 10 patients have survived for 3～18 months

but 3 died of m ulti organ failure or recurrence of fulminant hepatitis B. Seven survivors took lamivudine and 6 of them have survived for 3～18 months without the signs of re currence of hepatitis B. Conclusion. Orthotopic liver transplantation is an effective therapy for fulmina nt hepatitis B

and lamivudine may prevent recurrence of hepatitis B after trans plantation.