Liver transplantation

Description liver transplant

This is surgery to replace diseased or damaged liver from a deceased donor liver. In some cases, it may be used part of the liver of a living donor, usually a relative.

Causes liver transplant

A liver transplant is done to treat liver, that is not functioning properly and the problem can not be resolved by other methods. Transplantation can be performed under the following conditions:

• Cirrhosis of the liver;
• Hepatitis A, Or C;
• Alcoholic liver disease;
• Primary biliary cirrhosis;
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis (biliary tract disease);
• Sudden liver failure;
• Birth defects (eg, biliary atresia);
• Liver tumors;
• Metabolic defect (eg, Wilson's disease);
• Poisoning or liver damage drugs.

After transplantation, most patients can return to normal activities within 6-12 months.

Possible complications of a liver transplant

If you are planning a liver transplant, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Rejection of transplanted liver;
• Bleeding;
• Infection;
• Damage to neighboring organs;
• Obstruction of the bile duct or bile leakage into the body;
• Complications from taking immunosuppressive drugs;
• Blood clots.

Some factors, that may increase the risk of complications:

• Smoking;
• Obesity;
• Alcoholism;
• Diabetes;
• Poor diet;
• Recent or long-term illness;
• Serious heart disease, light, kidney;
• The use of some drugs;
• Cancer;
• Current infection.

We need to discuss these risks with your doctor before surgery.

How is a liver transplant?

Preparation for the procedure

There is a shortage of donors, so you can expect a liver transplant for a long period of time. It is advisable to carry a mobile phone, so the doctor can reach you, if a donor liver becomes available.

Before the operation can be carried out:

• Medical checkup;
• Blood tests;
• Chest X-ray – test, which uses X-rays for photographing structures intrathoracic;
• Electrocardiogram – test, which detects heart activity by measurement of electrical current through the heart muscle.

On the eve of the operation:

• Consult your doctor about the drugs taken. A week before surgery you may be asked to stop taking some medicines:
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin);
  • Blood thinners, such as clopidogrel (Plaviks) or warfarin;
• We need to take medication, prescribed by a doctor. You can not start taking other medicines without consulting;
• The night before, you can have a light meal. Do not eat or drink the night before surgery;
• We need to organize a trip for the operation and back home from the hospital. Also organizes home care after surgery;
• If your doctor recommended, Use an enema. Enema cleanses the intestines and prevent constipation following surgery.

Anesthesia

Used general anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient will sleep. The anesthetic is administered through a drip in the arm or shoulder.

Procedure liver transplant

The doctor will make an incision in the shape of a boomerang in the upper abdomen, Then he pinched the major blood vessels of the liver. A damaged liver will be removed. The new liver is inserted in place of the old, attached thereto blood vessels and bile ducts. In the bile duct during the operation entered a drainage tube. After the operation the doctor sews the incisions.

Immediately after liver transplant

You will be directed to the intensive care (ORIT), which will be established following:

• Snorkel, until you can breathe independently;
• Drop counter – for administration of fluids and drugs;
• Bladder catheter to drain urine.

How long will a liver transplant?

Several hours.

Liver transplantation – Will it hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. You will have pain during recovery. The doctor will give you pain medicine.

The average time of stay in the hospital after liver transplant

This operation is performed in a hospital. Usually stay of several weeks. The doctor can extend the period of stay, If there are signs of rejection of the new liver or any other problems.

Care after liver transplant

In the hospital

• You will receive fluids and nutrition through an IV, gradually moving to the normal food;
• We need to breathe deeply and cough 10-20 every hour. It will resume normal functioning of the lungs after surgery;
• Take immunosuppressive drugs. You'll have to take them the rest of the life. These drugs reduce the likelihood, that the body will reject the new liver.

Home Care

When you return home, Follow these steps:, to ensure the normal recovery:

• Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions;
• It is necessary to take proper care of the incision site. This will help prevent infection;
• Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the surgical site to water;
• Work with a physical therapist. The exercises will help you regain strength;
• Keep the temperature, blood pressure, pulse and weight;
• Follow a special diet. It will help prevent water retention in the body and will maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure;
• Take your medicines on prescription.

The recovery period may be different. It depends, in particular, the state of health prior to transplantation.

Contact your doctor after liver transplantation

After discharge from the hospital need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:

• Signs of infection, including fever, chills. You are at increased risk of infection because of receiving immunosuppressive drugs;
• Redness, edema, strong pain, bleeding or discharge from the incision;
• Cough, breathlessness, chest pain;
• Severe nausea and vomiting;
• Black or tarry stools, constipation or diarrhea lasting;
• You can not take the medication;
• Bruising;
• Red or red-brown urine;
• Any skin rash or sores in the mouth;
• Vaginal discharge (female);
• Pain, burning, frequent urination or persistent blood in the urine;
• The emergence of infections, such as mumps, kor, vetryanaya or opoyasıvayuşçïy not add lïşay;
• Headache, confusion, dizziness or loss of consciousness;
• Unusual weakness;
• Disease, which requires emergency treatment or hospitalization.