Integrated Liver Transplant Team.

Integrated Liver Transplant Team

A liver transplant is a surgical procedure that removes a Liver that no longer functions properly (liver failure) and replaces it with a healthy Liver from a living or deceased donor.

When is a liver transplant needed?

Liver transplantation is considered when the liver no longer functions adequately (liver failure). Two possible causes of liver failure are an acute (sudden) failure from infection or complications from certain medications.

Long-term liver failure is more common and can be a result of the following conditions:

• Chronic (long-term) hepatitis
• Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (a rare condition in which the immune system inappropriately attacks and destroys the bile ducts, causing liver failure)
• Sclerosing Cholangitis (scarring and narrowing of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver). This causes backup of bile in the liver and liver failure.
• Biliary Atresia (malformation of the bile ducts). This is a common reason for liver transplant in children.
• Alcoholism with ESLD
• Wilson’s disease (a rare inherited disease in which copper is deposited abnormally throughout the body, including the liver)
• Hemochromatosis (iron overload disease, a common inherited disease in which the body is overwhelmed with iron)
• Amyloidosis (abnormal deposits in the liver of an abnormal protein called amyloid that disrupts normal liver function)
• Liver cancer (Selected cases)

What tests are required before getting a liver transplant?

You will need to bring all of your medical records, X-rays, liver biopsy slides,Films & CD copies of previous CT/MRI/PET scans, operative reports, and a list of medications to your pre-evaluation. To complement and update previous tests, some or all of the following studies are usually performed during your evaluation:

• Computed tomography (CAT or CT scan), which uses X-rays and a computer to create pictures showing liver size and shape, blood supply, and any liver lesions. A chest CT scan may also be needed.
• Doppler ultrasound to determine if the blood vessels to and from your liver are open
• Echocardiogram and stress testing to help evaluate your heart
• Pulmonary function studies to determine your lungs’ ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Blood tests to determine blood type, clotting ability, and biochemical status of blood, and to measure liver function. Serology screening (a blood test that looks for antibodies) is also included.

Where does a liver for a transplant come from?

There are two types of liver transplantation options: Living Donor and Deceased Donor.

Living Donor Liver Transplants are an option for some patients with End-Stage Liver Disease(ESLD). In this procedure, a part of liver is removed from a healthy living donor and implanted into a recipient. Both the donor and recipient liver segments will grow to an adequate size in a few weeks..

In Deceased Liver Transplantation, the donor may be a victim of a massive cerebral vascular accident or severe head injury, such as spontaneous bleeding into the head, resulting in brain death.

Hospitals will evaluate all potential donors for evidence of liver disease, alcohol or drug abuse, cancer, or infection. Donors will also have serology testing and testing for other infections. If this screening does not reveal problems with the liver, donors and recipients are matched according to blood type and body size. Age, race, and sex are not considered.

The transplant team will discuss your transplantation options with you at the time of your pre-transplant evaluation, or you can contact the transplant team for more information.

What happens during the liver transplant operation?

Liver transplants usually take from 6 to 18 hours. During the operation, surgeons will remove your Diseased Liver and replace it with the donor liver.

Because a transplant operation is a major procedure, surgeons will need to place several tubes in your body. These tubes will help your body carry out certain functions during the operation and for a few days afterward.

• A tube will be placed through your mouth into your trachea (windpipe) to help you breathe during the operation and for the first day or two after. The tube is attached to a ventilator that will expand your lungs mechanically.
• A nasogastric tube will be inserted through your nose into your stomach to drain secretions from your stomach. It will remain in place for a few days until your bowel function returns to normal.
• A tube called a catheter will be placed in your bladder to drain urine. This will be removed a few days after the operation.
• Tubes will be placed in your abdomen to drain blood and fluid from around the liver. These will remain in place for about a week.

When will I be able to go home after the liver transplant?

The average hospital stay after liver transplantation for:

Living Donor - ICU 3 days/7 days room.

Patient - ICU 10 days/11 days room.

To provide a smooth transition from hospital to home, the nursing staff and your transplant coordinator will begin to prepare you for discharge shortly after you are transferred from the intensive care unit to the regular nursing floor. You will be given a discharge manual, which reviews much of what you will need to know before you go home.

What follow-up is necessary after a liver transplant?

Your first return appointment will generally be scheduled about one to two weeks after you are discharged from the hospital. During this visit, you will see the transplant surgeon and transplant coordinator.

Additional appointments are scheduled for every two to four weeks until three months after the transplant (as directed by the transplant surgeon). Generally, patients are then scheduled to return for follow-up at 6 and 9 months.

 

GG Hospital

The Liver Transplant Departments at GG Hospital, is fully equipped with modern and State-of-The-Art Technology, Intensive Care Unit Services and Modular and Integrated Operation Theatre that match International Health and Safety Norms. We have a dedicated team assured only by a multidisciplinary approach and quality of care ,which distinguishes us from others. We take proud in taking care of our patients holistically , our team includes Liver Transplant Surgeons, Physicians, Intensivist,Anaesthsiologists, Imageologist, Interventional Radiologist, Pathologist, Microbiologist, Endocrinologist,Cardiologist, Pulmanologist, Neurologist,, Psychiatrists, Gynacologist, Nutritionist, Physiotherapist. A good outcome can be ensured only by optimizing the condition of the patient.

We wish to provide hope to those with terminal liver disease by informing them that at a fraction of the cost abroad, Liver Transplants in GG Hospital is done under 15 Lakhs and being done routinely by the Dr Arun Kumar M.L- Surgical Gastroenterology , Hepato Pancreatico Biliary Surgery (MBBS,MS,DNB,MCh,DNB MRCSEd,MNAMS,FIAGES,FMAS,Fellowship in Liver Transplant PDF(HPB)) with results that match the best in the world.

We acknowledge the extreme generosity and selflessness of all the past and future Liver Donors in saving their nears and dears, and wish to provide them counselling and medical advice.