OBJECTIVE To study the risk factors of renal failure in the early post-liver transplantation period. METHODS 92 consecutive liver transplantation cases were reviewed and a multi-factor analysis of presumed risk factors of early post-transplantation period renal failure was conducted. The factors analyzed were total bilirubin level, prothrombin activity, onset of structural renal disease, onset of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, whether the patient underwent large-volume paracentesis, or underwent plasmapheresis therapy, needed renal replacement therapy, the operation method used, the bleeding volume during operation and the immunosuppressive agents used. RESULTS Of the 92 patients, 29 (31.5%) developed acute renal failure (ARF) in the early postoperative period. Multi-factor analysis revealed a high pre-transplantation serum creatinine level and low prothrombin activity as risk factors for development of ARF. CONCLUSIONS ARF is a frequent medical complication after liver transplantation. A high pre-transplantation serum creatinine level and low prothrombin activity are risk factors of its development.