Liver transplantation
Liver transplantation is a primary method of treating patients with severe liver pathologies in which the organ cannot perform its functions. Transplantation is a complex and rather dangerous surgical operation. Therefore, the recipient and donor are aware of all the risks, and must also be prepared for a lengthy recovery period and taking medications for the rest of their lives.
Transplant Indications
Liver transplantations prescribed in the following situations:
- Lack of the possibility of radical resection for extensive lesions;
- The presence of diffuse incurable liver disease in which a life forecast of no more than one years given;
- The presence of diffuse diseases in which surgical and conservative treatment was ineffective and did not provide the expected result;
- Chronic diseases in which the patient’s quality of lives significantly reduced.
But even if there is evidence, doctors look at the prognosis after transplantation (it should be favorable). The recipient undergoes a full examination and passes tests. The presence of concomitant diseases and the general state of his health assessed.
Absolute and relative contraindications
Absolute contraindications are:
- A malignant tumor that localized outside the liver;
- Malformations incompatible with life expectancy;
- Infectious extrarenal diseases, such as HIV;
- Running alcoholism;
- Psychological unpreparedness of the recipient for transplantation.
Transplantation methods
There are several types of operations:
- Orthotopic liver transplantation.
- Transplantation of parts of an organ.
- Heterotopic transplantation of a new liver.
- An organ transplant from a living relative who agreed to give part of his liver.
Recovery period
After the operation, the recipient spends in intensive care under constant supervision for about ten days. After that, he is still in the hospital for about one month. If there are no symptoms of rejection, and the patient is usually recovering, then he is discharged from the clinic. However, throughout life, people who have had a liver transplant take particular medications to prevent organ rejection. They also take tests every two weeks and undergo an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
In the Israeli Tel Aviv Medical Clinic, liver transplantation performed by experienced specialists with many years of experience. In our medical center, many successful transplant operations of the liver and other organs have performed. Tel Aviv Medical Clinic equipped with the latest equipment, and the best world-famous doctors work in it.