Liver Transplant Surgery

Liver transplantation (also known as hepatic transplantation in the world of medical science), is a surgical procedure in which a diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy human donor liver. Located below the diaphragm on the right side of the abdomen, liver is the largest and a vital internal organ of human body. It performs many complex functions to support the human life. Diseased or damaged liver can be life threatening. Liver transplantation is performed when the liver no longer functions adequately even after the normal medications. Today this liver transplantation is a widely accepted treatment alternative for those suffering from end- stage liver disorder and acute liver failure. The most common factor that makes the need of liver transplantation in adults is cirrhosis, a disease in which healthy liver cells are damaged and replaced with scar tissue.

There are some basic causes that may increase the risk of kidney failure are- liver cirrhosis, biliary duct atresia, cystic fibrosis, early-stage liver cancer, hemochromatosis, noncancerous (benign) liver tumors, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and Wilson's disease. Some symptoms that which can be experienced as a suspect of kidney failure are- black stool, blood vomiting, water in the abdomen (ascites), drowsiness and mental confusion, loss of appetite, loss of weight and muscle wasting, excessive bleeding from minor wounds, jaundice, kidney dysfunction, excessive tiredness, low hemoglobin and other blood counts. Before starting the surgery some previous tests are performed such as X-rays, liver biopsy slides, computed tomography, Doppler ultrasound to determine if the blood vessels, Echocardiogram followed by some blood tests.

Liver transplantation methods are categorized in three types such as orthotropic transplantation, heterotrophic transplantation & reduced-size liver transplantation. In orthotropic transplantation, the whole diseased liver is replaced with a healthy donor liver, whereas in heterotrophic transplantation, the healthy liver is placed additionally at another site, while the diseased liver is left intact. Reduced-size liver transplantation is the replacement procedure performed on children only. Surgery of liver transplantation is performed by using of general anesthesia. Initially before the beginning of surgery, a tube is placed through the mouth of patient into windpipe (trachea) to help breathe during the operation and two following days after the operation. Surgeon makes a Y shaped incision in the abdomen to open the abdominal cavity. Surgeon then removes the diseased liver and inserts the donated liver and attached to the major blood vessels in place and to the patient's bile ducts. The incision is then closed at the end of surgery.

Entire procedure of liver transplantation surgery usually takes about 6-12 hour to perform successfully. Patient is required to stay at hospital for 3 weeks after the surgery for extensive care. Patients can resume their normal (or near-normal) lifestyle six months to a year after a successful liver transplant. You will have a longer life expectancy after the successful completion of surgery.