This is the fifth symposium on Experimental and Clinical Hepatology to be convened by the organisers, and, in common with the previous four, reflects the importance placed upon continuing discussion by clinical investigators as well as basic physiological and pharmacological researchers. Previous meetings which were held at the Surgical Department of the Philipps University in Marburg were dedicated to problems of direct clinical application, such as haemodynamics of portal hypertension, surgical approach to hepatic tumours, liver regeneration and temporary hepatic support. Clinical...