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Liver Transplant Surgery
Relevant information about Liver Transplant Surgery.
- What does the surgery consist on
The surgery consists on the replacement of a diseased liver for a healthy liver allograft. The most common and well known technique used for this procedure is orthopedic transplantation, where the organ is located in the same anatomic place as the previous liver.
- Which problem does the surgery solve
The surgery solves problems related to the bad functioning of the liver. The liver can be deteriorated for several reasons, some of them can be a diet based in unhealthy foods and drinks like alcohol, a specific disease that took place in the liver, a tumor that has been found in the organ, among others. By having a liver transplantation, the patient will be able to recover the normal function of his/her organ.
- How is the surgery performed
First of all, the surgeon will give general anesthesia to the patient. Once the patient has been numbed, the surgeon will make a Y shaped incision. The incision will be situated in the patient’s belly. In the majority of the cases, the surgeon or a nurse will place plastic bulb-shaped drains in the affected area; the function of these drains is to absorb fluids like blood. It is probable that these tubes will be used for a few days after the operation. Another tube, that is named a T tube, might be placed in the patient´s bile duct; this tube will be in charge of draining outside the body into a tiny bag that is called a bile bag. The tube will be situated in the patient´s body for three months after the operation. If the liver produces bile, it will be a good sign for surgeons and for the patient, because it means that the liver is being accepted by the patient´s body. After the surgery the patient will be taken to a special room where he/she will be monitored by several machines. It is likely (this will depend on each case), that a respirator will help the patient to breath during the first moments after the operation. A tube will be inserted in the trachea; this tube will bring oxygen to the lungs of the patient. Once the patient has woken up, the tubes and the oxygen will be removed. After this, the patient will be taken to a room where professionals will take blood tests and x-ray radiographs.
- Surgery length: The surgery is estimated to last from 3 to 5 hours. Before entering the operating room, the nurses will check if the functions of the patient’s organism are going well; nurses will check blood pressure and the temperature of the patient´s body. Once this has been examinated, the patient will enter the operating room. Surgeons will use general anesthesia during the surgical procedure. The average hospital stay after the surgery is from three to four weeks.
- How is the post surgery process
The post surgery process will last a few months, according to the fact that a liver transplantation is not a minor operation. It is probable that the patient will have to incorporate new habits to his/her life. The patient will have to be more careful in his diet, basically. Eating unhealthy foods that contain too much fat, or having an excessive consume of alcohol, will affect the development of the new liver. The doctor will explain to the patient how the new habits that he/she will have to incorporate to his/her new lifestyle will be. Incorporating physical exercise will be of great importance too; physical activity is suggested in cases where the patient has suffered a great change in his/her body, because it helps to the circulation and the blood pressure. However, physical activity should be resumed at least after three months from the operation. The recovery process will be a little longer than any common surgical procedure. The patient´s organism will have to get accustomed to the incorporation and acceptation of the new liver. The patient will be able to get back to work (if this does not imply to much physical exercise), after one or two months since the performance of the operation. If the patient feels any pain, swelling or redness in the affected area, he/she will have to inform immediately to his/her doctor; the professional will determinate if the patient will have an extra medicine that will stop this symptoms which are unusual.
Even though the great majority of patients present a good recovery after two or three months from the operation, there can be some complications during the healing process. Some of the risks can be bleeding, infection, pain around the incision and the possible formation of blood clots. A prolonged and long recovery can be included in the risks that may bring the surgical procedure. It is important that during the healing process for the patient to take some measures related to hygiene and cleanness. These two issues can help to avoid any infection or bleeding. To avoid the risk of having an infection or bleeding, the surgeon will give to the patient a prescript medication to prevent them. If the patient feels pain after the operation, he/she will have to notice the doctor about the situation; the professional will give a special medication that helps on the elimination of the pain caused by the surgical procedure.
The surgery will allow the patient in the recuperation of the normal functions of his/her organism. Having a new organ will significantly help the normal development of the patient, because she/he will be able to enjoy in a different way, without suffering pain and having restrictions in determinate activities.
- What does the surgery not do
The surgery will not be accompanied with any medication that will have to be incorporated by the patient during his/her entire life. It is probable that if the patient has a precise discomfort related to the post-surgery process, the doctor will give a prescript medication; anyway this will be eliminated after the problem has been solved.
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