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Liver Transplants

The liver is the largest organ in the body. It plays a primary role in the processing of substances (both foodstuffs and toxins) absorbed through the gut.

Disorders of the liver consequently have a major impact on the wellbeing of the entire body.

They include cancers, viral infections (hepatitis A, B, C, D), alcohol related damage (cirrhosis) and auto-immune conditions.

A liver transplant may be recommended for:

• Liver damage due to alcoholism and not due to (cirrhosis or primary biliary cirrhosis)
  
• Long-term (chronic) active infection (hepatitis)
  
• Liver (hepatic) vein clot (thrombosis)
  
• Birth defects of the liver or bile ducts (biliary atresia)
  
• Metabolic disorders associated with liver failure
  

Liver transplant surgery is not recommended for patients who the following conditions:

• Heart, lung, or kidney disease
  
• Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)
  
• Most life-threatening diseases

Liver transplants save the lives of people who might otherwise die and performed with this in mind. Approximately 80% of patients survive 3 years or more after the transplant.

The major problem with liver transplants is the same as with all organ transplants, finding a healthy organ and graft rejection. In addition the life-long need to take immunosuppressive drugs, which weaken the body's ability to fight infections, causes further risks.

Recovery

The recovery period averages 12 weeks.

Liver transplants of course carry major risks by their very nature.

There is an increased risk of infection because of the immune suppressive medications that must be taken to prevent transplant rejection by the patient and patients need to look out for signs of the following.

Infection (redness, drainage, fever, swelling, tenderness, jaundice, diarrhea) or if the condition worsens a patient needs to contact their doctor immediately.