Liver Transplantation
Overview
Liver transplantation is a surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person. The liver may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor. Family members or individuals who are unrelated but make a good match may be able to donate a portion of their liver. This type of transplant is called a living transplant. Individuals who donate a portion of their liver can live healthy lives with the remaining liver.
Indications for Liver Transplantation
Liver transplantation is typically reserved for individuals who have significant complications due to end-stage chronic liver disease. In rare cases, sudden failure of a previously healthy liver may necessitate a liver transplant. The most common reasons for liver transplantation include Hepatitis C infection, long-term, chronic Hepatitis B infection, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and genetic liver diseases.
Procedure
The procedure involves removing the diseased liver and replacing it with a healthy liver from a donor. The surgery is complex and can take up to 12 hours to complete. The patient is placed under general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure. The surgeon makes a large incision in the upper abdomen and removes the diseased liver. The donor's liver is then placed in the patient's body, and the blood vessels and bile ducts are connected.
Post-Transplant Care
After the surgery, the patient is monitored in the intensive care unit for a few days and then transferred to a regular room. The patient will need to take medications for the rest of their life to prevent the body from rejecting the new liver. These medications, known as immunosuppressants, help to reduce the activity of the body's immune system.
Risks and Complications
Like any major surgery, liver transplantation comes with risks, including complications related to the procedure itself, rejection of the donor organ and side effects from the immunosuppressant medications. Complications can include infection, bleeding, bile duct complications, and liver failure.
Prognosis
The prognosis following liver transplantation is generally good, with most patients leading a normal life after the surgery. However, the long-term success of liver transplantation depends on a variety of factors, including the reason for liver transplantation, the patient's overall health, the health of the donor liver, and the patient's adherence to the prescribed medication regimen.