Liver Transplant Surgery: Preparation and Procedure

A liver transplant is a surgery performed to replace one’s damaged liver with a whole or partial healthy liver from another person. It is done to save a person’s life. Healthy liver constitutes a healthy and happy life. A liver transplant gives a new life and a new ray of sunshine to a person suffering from any liver disease. A liver transplant is done when someone is suffering from liver failure or liver cancer. Liver failure can either occur quickly or after a long period of time.

Transplantation of any organ is not something that is known to many especially the procedure and preparation required. We are here to guide you on what you can expect before, during, and after liver transplant surgery.

Liver Transplant Procedure: What to Expect

Liver transplant surgery, for most of the people, is a life-saving operation. It involves the removal of the affected liver and replacing it with the donated liver.

You will get a call from a transplant coordinator to inform you about the availability of a donor’s liver. The details regarding it will also be provided to the patient about where the transplant is going to happen and the name of the liver transplant surgeon.

Here are the following tips which you need to do before going for the transplant surgery and having any test done:

Let one of your family members accompany you to be there with you during the process and know every information related to the transplant procedure.
Do not drink or eat anything after midnight of the day before your appointment because you will be undergoing a number of tests.
Bring all the medications along with you prescribed by the doctor
Carry snacks and a water bottle with you.
Wear masks and carry sanitizers due to the ongoing Covid19 pandemics.

What to Expect When You Arrive for Liver Transplant Surgery

Once you arrive in the hospital for liver transplant surgery, you will be taken to a room for undergoing a couple of tests before the surgery. In the initial evaluation, your doctor will want to review all the medical records, X-Ray, blood reports, biopsy reports, and list of medication prescribed to you. The type of test required is mentioned below:

CT Scan will be required to see the shape and size of your liver, blood supply, and any liver lesion.
Echocardiogram to evaluate the proper functioning of your heart, especially for adults.
Blood test to determine your blood type, any type of clotting, and to measure liver function.
MRI scan of the chest and abdomen/pelvis

These tests will help the doctors to evaluate if you are capable of liver transplant surgery and if any problem detected the doctor might advise for any other treatment and postpone the transplant.

What to Expect During Liver Transplant Surgery

The duration of the surgery on average takes 6-12 hours. It may take more than 12 hours depending upon the complexity of the case. During the surgery, a liver transplant surgeon will remove your liver and replace it with the healthy liver from the donor.

Liver transplant operation is a major task and the doctors need to insert many tubes for the proper functioning of the remaining part of the body during the surgery. The patient is connected to the ventilator to help him breathe during the surgery. Your surgeon will make an incision in your abdomen. The surgeons then carefully isolate the diseased liver out of your body, clamping off the blood vessels and bile ducts. The healthy liver from the donor’s body is placed by reattaching all the veins, arteries, and bile ducts. Lastly, they will close up the incision made in the abdomen. The surgeons will make sure that the new liver is working properly through ultrasound.

What to Expect After Liver Transplant?

After a successful liver transplant, the patient will be shifted to ICU to monitor any risk or complications that might arise. You will be given anti-rejection medication to prevent any liver rejection. Anti-rejection medication will facilitate your immune system to fight against any threat. The care unit in the hospital takes care of you and help you move around when needed because being still after the surgery will increase the chances of clotting.

Before leaving the hospital, the care unit will prescribe you medicines and a diet plan to follow. Expect 6 months or more time to get fully recovered after a liver transplant to get back to normal activity. Avoid any strenuous activity or heavy exercise.