Kansas University Hospital’s liver program is growing.

It performed a record 85 liver transplants last year, up 15 percent from 2008.

The hospital performs the only adult liver transplants in the area.

Dr. Richard Gilroy, medical director of liver tranplantation, says the overall volume of the liver program is up 350 percent over three years and transplant evaluations are five times the number of three years ago.

“Liver disease is common and a major health concern for so many in the Kansas City area,” he said.”It is great to see a hospital, university and transplant team collaborative of the highest order has been assembled and through the magnificent work in local organ donation pioneered by Midwest Transplant Network, we can see people in Kansas City cared for locally.”

According to Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, 92 Kansans are awaiting a liver transplant.