Hepatic transplant
Key points
- Liver transplant is surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor.
- A healthy liver is usually obtained from a donor who has recently died, but has not suffered liver injury.
- There is an increased risk of infection because of the immunosuppressive medications that must be taken to prevent transplant rejection.
- Liver transplants can save the lives of people who might otherwise die.
Alternative names
Liver transplant; Transplant - liver
Definition
Liver transplant is surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor.
Description
Liver transplants have become common operations worldwide.
A healthy liver is usually obtained from a donor who has recently died, but has not suffered liver injury. The donor liver is transported in a cooled saline solution that preserves the organ for up to 8 hours, thus permitting the necessary tests for donor-recipient matching.
The diseased liver is removed through an incision in the upper abdomen. The donor liver is put in place and attached to the patient's blood vessels and bile ducts. The operation may take up to 12 hours and requires a large amount of transfused blood.
In some cases, a living donor may donate a section of liver for transplant to someone else, often a family member or friend. This poses some risk to the donor because of the nature of the operation, but since the liver can regenerate itself to some extent, both parties usually end up with fully functioning livers after a successful transplant.
Indications
A liver transplant may be recommended for:
- Liver damage (cirrhosis or primary biliary cirrhosis)
- Long-term active infection (hepatitis)
- Hepatic vein clot (thrombosis)
- Birth defects of the liver or bile ducts (biliary atresia)
- Metabolic disorders associated with liver failure (Wilson's disease)
Liver transplant surgery is not recommended for patients who have:
- Heart, lung, or kidney disease
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)
- Other life-threatening diseases
RISKS
Risks for any anesthesia are:
- Reactions to medications
- Problems breathing
Risks for any surgery are:
- Bleeding
- Infection
Liver transplants carry major risks. There is an increased risk of infection because of the immunosuppressive medications that must be taken to prevent transplant rejection. Call your doctor if there are signs of infection (redness, drainage, fever, swelling, tenderness, jaundice, diarrhea) or if the condition worsens.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
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