General Surgery
Procedure preparations
- In liver transplant, a healthy liver is transplanted in the place of another one in conditions that cause the liver to fail and not be able to function properly. A liver transplant can be done from a dead person, or a part of a liver from a living donor can be transplanted because the liver can regrow to its normal size in both the donor and the recipient.
- Liver transplant is used in the cases where all other treatment didn’t work, and most of these cases are liver acute or chronic liver failure and liver cancer.
- In the case of a liver transplant from a dead person, the liver must be transplanted immediately; therefore, when available, the patient is prepared immediately for the liver transplant, while in the case of a living-liver donor, the surgery is planned previously.
- The liver transplant procedure is done under general anesthesia, and it usually takes 6-12 hours, depending on the case. The patient must stay in the hospital for about two weeks, and in the case of a living-liver transplant, the donor must stay in the hospital for a few days as well.
Procedure preparations
- Examining the patient’s and the donor’s health, in the case of a living-liver transplant, in general.
- The patient must be eligible for a liver transplant, and they mustn’t be under the risk of future alcohol or drug abuse.
- In the case of a living donor, both of them must have the same blood type, and the size of their bodies must be close.
- In the case of a living-liver transplant, both the patient and the donor must stop taking blood thinners (anticoagulant medications), ibuprofen, and any other medications that the surgeon mentions two weeks before the procedure.
- In the case of a living-liver transplant, both the patient and the donor mustn’t have anything for 12 hours before the procedure.
Procedure complications
Complications in both the recipient and the donor, in case of a living-liver transplant:
- Anesthesia complications.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Blood clots.
- Damage in the bile duct.
- Infections.
Other complications in the recipient:
- Rejection of the new liver, which might lead to failing of the transplantation.
- Failing of the transplanted liver.
Procedure instructions
- The patient must take immunosuppressants for the rest of their life to prevent rejecting the transplanted liver. The immunosuppressants might cause side effects, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, increased hair growth or hair loss, bone thinning, diabetes, weight gain, acne, and increased cancer risk, especially skin cancer and lymphoma.
- You must follow a healthy lifestyle and take care of your health because your immune system is compromised due to the immunosuppressants.
- You must stick to the medications prescribed by the doctor and the regular visits.
- Immediately contact your doctor if any problem or weird symptom emerges.
- You can return to your normal daily routine one or two months after the surgery.
- You must avoid strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting for a period of time, as the doctor recommends.
- Survival rate after liver transplant is 75% after five years and 53% after 20 years.
- Full recovery might take six months or more.
DC-30
Diagnostic Ultrasound system
Syria _ Damascus _ Al-RawdaFrequently asked questions about Liver Transplant
What is Liver Transplant?
Liver Transplant in Syria: " In liver transplant, a healthy liver is transplanted in the place of another one in conditions that cause the liver to fail and not be able to function properly. A liver transplant can be done from a dead person, or a part of a liver from a living donor can be transplanted because the liver can regrow to its normal size in both the donor and the recipient. Liver transplant is used in the cases where all other...
How do I prepare for Liver Transplant?
" Examining the patient’s and the donor’s health, in the case of a living-liver transplant, in general. The patient must be eligible for a liver transplant, and they mustn’t be under the risk of future alcohol or drug abuse. In the case of a living donor, both of them must have the same blood type, and the size of their bodies must be close. In the case of a living-liver transplant, both the patient and the donor...
What are the aftercare instructions for Liver Transplant?
" The patient must take immunosuppressants for the rest of their life to prevent rejecting the transplanted liver. The immunosuppressants might cause side effects, such as hypertension , high cholesterol, increased hair growth or hair loss, bone thinning, diabetes , weight gain, acne, and increased cancer risk, especially skin cancer and lymphoma. You must follow a healthy lifestyle and take care of your health...
Which specialty is Liver Transplant related to?
Liver Transplant is related to: General Surgery.
Where can I get Liver Transplant in Syria?
You can get Liver Transplant at clinics and hospitals in Syria. To find specialists in General Surgery, see suggested doctors on this page or Click here
What are the possible complications of Liver Transplant?
" Complications in both the recipient and the donor, in case of a living-liver transplant: Anesthesia complications. Heavy bleeding. Blood clots. Damage in the bile duct. Infections. Other complications in the recipient: Rejection of the new liver, which might lead to failing of the transplantation. Failing of the transplanted liver. "
DC-30
Diagnostic Ultrasound system
Syria _ Damascus _ Al-Rawda