Liver Transplant
Overview
When is a liver transplant necessary?
Many people don't know much about their liver, and some
probably don't even know that they couldn't live without it.
But the liver is absolutely essential to your health, and if
the liver becomes severely diseased, it's impossible for the
human body to function properly.
The liver is the largest solid organ in the body, and among
the most important functions the liver performs:
- the liver produces glucose, which is a basic energy
source,
- the liver produces proteins, which are needed for
growth,
- the liver produces blood clotting substances that help
heal wounds,
- the liver is a filter which screens and removes toxic
and harmful substances from the blood,
- the liver produces bile, which is necessary for
absorbing fats and vitamins. Bile is stored in the
gallbladder.
Liver disease, which may occur for a number of reasons,
compromises these critical liver functions. When damage to the
liver is severe and the liver is no works, a liver transplant
is necessary.
How common are liver transplants?
The most common liver diseases that can lead to a liver
transplant in adults are hepatitis and cirrhosis. Children
under 18 may suffer from biliary atresia, which occurs when the
bile duct doesn't develop properly.
More than 5000 transplants are performed annually in the
U.S. Between 17,000 and 20,000 people in the United States are
currently waiting for a liver transplant.
More livers are transplanted in the U.S. than any other
organ except the kidney.
How long does a liver transplant take?
The amount a time that liver transplant surgery actually
takes will vary from patient to patient. Generally, however, a
liver transplant will take 3-5 hours of actual surgery.
How is a liver transplant done?
The liver transplant surgical team will make an incision in
the upper abdomen. The diseased liver is then removed, and the
donor liver replaces it. The surgeons will attach your blood
vessels to the new liver. The bile duct of the "new" liver is
attached to the patient's bile duct. In some cases, the bile
duct of the new liver may be attached to a segment of the small
intestine in order for bile to drain more efficiently.
Do liver transplants fail?
Yes, sometimes a liver transplant doesn't work because
of
- resistance by your immune system: the new liver is
rejected
- underlying causes of liver disease have not changed
and those causes contributed to damage to the new
liver
- other factors that were beyond the control of you or
your doctors.
If your first liver transplant is rejected, you may choose
to become a candidate for a second transplant, . This decision
can be made by you and your doctors depending on your current
health, your ability to undergo surgery again, and your desire
to continue treatment.
Need more information about liver transplants? Use
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