How to Do Liver Transplant: A Comprehensive Guide for Surgeons

Liver transplantation is a major surgical procedure that is performed to replace a diseased or failing liver with a healthy liver from a donor. The first successful liver transplant was performed in 1963, and since then, the procedure has become increasingly common. Today, liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease.

How to Do a Liver Transplant: Stories from My Surgical Life

by Yogi Bhajan

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	657 KB
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This guide is designed to provide surgeons with a comprehensive overview of liver transplantation. The guide covers everything from patient selection to post-operative care.

Patient Selection

The first step in liver transplantation is patient selection. The ideal candidate for liver transplantation is a patient with end-stage liver disease who is not expected to survive without a transplant. Patients with the following conditions are typically considered candidates for liver transplantation:

* Cirrhosis * Hepatitis B or C * Autoimmune hepatitis * Primary biliary cholangitis * Primary sclerosing cholangitis * Hepatic cancer

The patient's age, overall health, and support system are also taken into consideration when selecting patients for liver transplantation.

Pre-Operative Care

Once a patient has been selected for liver transplantation, they will undergo a series of pre-operative tests and procedures. These tests and procedures are designed to ensure that the patient is healthy enough to undergo surgery and to minimize the risk of complications.

The pre-operative tests and procedures typically include:

* Blood tests * Imaging tests * Liver biopsy * Physical examination * Dental examination * Psychological evaluation

The patient will also be given instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including how to eat, drink, and take medications.

Surgical Procedure

The liver transplant surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon will make a large incision in the abdomen and remove the diseased liver. The donor liver is then placed in the abdomen and connected to the blood vessels and bile ducts.

The liver transplant surgery typically takes 6-12 hours. After surgery, the patient will be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring.

Post-Operative Care

The patient will typically stay in the ICU for 2-3 days after surgery. During this time, the patient will be closely monitored for complications. The patient will also be given medications to prevent rejection of the donor liver.

Once the patient is stable, they will be transferred to a regular hospital room. The patient will typically stay in the hospital for 2-3 weeks after surgery. During this time, the patient will continue to be monitored for complications and will be given rehabilitation therapy to help them regain their strength.

Long-Term Follow-Up

After the patient is discharged from the hospital, they will need to follow up with their doctor on a regular basis. The doctor will monitor the patient's liver function and check for signs of rejection. The patient will also need to take medications to prevent rejection of the donor liver.

The long-term survival rate after liver transplantation is excellent. Most patients live for 10-15 years after surgery.

Liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease. The procedure is complex, but it has a high success rate. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of liver transplantation, from patient selection to long-term follow-up.

How to Do a Liver Transplant: Stories from My Surgical Life

by Yogi Bhajan

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	657 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE