Life after liver transplant

A liver transplant surgery is recommended when the liver fails to function normally or stops functioning altogether. This condition may emerge due to one or more of the following reasons:

1. Alcohol abuse

2. Liver cancer

3. Chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis

4. Wilson's disease

5. Biliary artresia

6. Sclerosing cholangitis

7. Deficiency of Alpha – 1 antitrypsin

Once the liver has been transplanted, the patient is sure to experience a couple of changes in his lifestyle. Some of these major changes are as follows:

a. Low Immunity

In order to bring down the chances of liver rejection, the patient is on medications which supress the body's natural immune system. Though not in all cases, these medications are known to have side effects like hand tremors, mood swings, weight gain, high blood pressure, bone loss as well as diabetes. Depending on your condition the doctors alter and reduce the dosage of medications so that not only is the side effect minimized, but the liver also functions at its best. One thing which each patient needs to keep in mind is that although the dosage of the immunosuppressive medications will decrease over time, they will have to take these medications for rest of their life.

b. Hepatic Artery Thrombosis

This is a condition wherein a clot develops in the the hepatic artery. After the liver transplantation if a clot develops in the hepatic artery it will result in the malfunctioning of the liver. Usually an ultrasound of the abdominal area is done a day after the surgery, in order to monitor the recovery after the surgery. In case the clot is found either medications or surgical repair is done to minimize the permanent damage as well as avoid the need for re-transplantation.

100. Infection

It is a known fact that the immune system of the liver transplant patients are at all time low post the surgery. And it is this condition which results in high risk of infections. Medications are prescribed to prevent this occurrence, and the patient is usually advised to routinely monitor his temperature at home and make some changes in his daily living in order to avoid contracting harmful infections.

500. Leakage from the bile duct

The ducts which drain from the new liver are attached to a bile duct. There are cases wherein this connection leaks and the bile drains into the abdominal cavity, which in turn results in infection. In such situations, a catheter is inserted into the abdomen to allow external drainage.

Along with the above mentioned points, bleeding, numbness in/ around the operated area and recurrences of Hepatitis are some of the things which a liver transplant patient can face after the surgery is done.

For more information on liver transplant surgery, visit www.psrihospital.com or call at +91 11 30611700.

PSRI hospital is among the top ten hospitals in India and has some of the leading liver transplant surgeons in India.