Liver Transplant Surgery

Liver transplantation is a critical medical intervention that becomes necessary when the liver faces end-stage disease or failure. A range of underlying causes can lead to this dire situation, making liver transplants a life-saving procedure. 

A liver transplant may also be a treatment option in rare cases of sudden failure of a previously healthy liver. The number of people waiting for a liver transplant greatly exceeds the number of available deceased-donor livers.

Liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure that involves replacing a diseased or failing liver with a healthy liver from a living or deceased donor. It is a life-saving intervention for individuals facing end-stage liver disease. Here's a detailed overview of the liver transplant procedure:

The process begins with a thorough evaluation of the patient's overall health and the severity of their liver disease. The patient is placed on the waiting list for a suitable donor liver. If a living donor is available, they undergo rigorous medical and psychological evaluations to assess their suitability. Deceased donor livers are typically obtained from individuals who have chosen to be organ donors. The compatibility of the donor's liver with the recipient is determined, including blood type and tissue matching to minimize the risk of organ rejection.

Both the recipient and the living donor are prepped for surgery. The recipient is placed under general anesthesia. After surgery, the recipient is closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) to assess vital signs, liver function, and signs of organ rejection.To prevent the body from rejecting the new liver, patients must take immunosuppressive medications for life. These drugs suppress the immune system's response to the foreign organ.

Rehabilitation begins, including physical therapy and dietary counseling, to help the patient regain strength and adapt to the new liver.