Liver Transplant
A liver transplant is a vital surgical procedure that replaces a diseased or failing liver with a healthy donor liver. This procedure is the primary treatment for end-stage liver disease, which is often caused by conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Liver transplants are intricate surgeries that provide patients with a renewed opportunity for life, allowing the liver to regenerate and regain its essential functions. Donor livers can come from either deceased or living donors.
About Liver Transplant
Liver transplantation is a crucial medical procedure required when the liver experiences end-stage disease or failure. Various underlying conditions can lead to this critical situation, making liver transplants a life-saving option. In rare cases, a liver transplant may also be necessary due to the sudden failure of an otherwise healthy liver. However, the number of individuals awaiting a liver transplant significantly exceeds the availability of deceased donor livers.
Procedure of Liver Transplant
Liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure that replaces a diseased or failing liver with a healthy liver from a living or deceased donor. This intervention is essential for individuals facing end-stage liver disease. Here’s a detailed overview of the liver transplant procedure:
The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s overall health and the severity of their liver disease. If deemed suitable, the patient is placed on the waiting list for a compatible donor liver. For living donor transplants, potential donors undergo thorough medical and psychological evaluations to determine their suitability. Deceased donor livers are typically sourced from individuals who have opted for organ donation. Compatibility between the donor’s liver and the recipient is assessed, including blood type and tissue matching, to minimize the risk of organ rejection.
Both the recipient and the living donor are prepared for surgery. The recipient is placed under general anesthesia for the procedure. Following the surgery, the recipient is closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) to track vital signs, liver function, and any signs of organ rejection. To prevent the body from rejecting the new liver, patients must take immunosuppressive medications for the rest of their lives. These medications suppress the immune system’s response to the foreign organ.
Rehabilitation begins after the transplant, including physical therapy and dietary counseling to help the patient regain strength and adapt to their new liver.