Liver Transplant Flashcards
What is a orthotopic transplant?
Entire liver transplanted from a healthy person that has just died
What is a living donor transplant?
Liver is able to regenerate
Portion of the liver is taken from a living donor and transplanted into patient
Both regenerate becoming two full organs
What is split donation?
Liver of deceased person split into two and transplanted into two people
Liver then regenerates to normal size
What are the indications for liver transplant?
Acute liver failure
Requires immediate transplant
Acute viral hepatitis or paracetamol overdose
Chronic liver failure
Can wait for transplant for period of time
Usually ~5 months
Certain cases of hepatocellular carcinoma
What factors make a person unsuitable for liver transplantation?
Significant co-morbidities
Current illicit drug use
Continuing alcohol misuse
Untreated HIV
Current or previous cancer
What incision is made for liver transplantation surgery?
Rooftop
or
Mercedes Benz
Both along lower costal margin
What drugs are given post-transplantation?
Immunosuppressants:
- Steroids
- Azathioprine
- Tacrolimus
What lifestyle advice and monitoring do post-transplantation patients need?
Avoid alcohol and smoking
Treat opportunistic infection
Monitoring for disease recurrence
Monitoring for cancer- significantly higher risk in immunosuppressed patients
How is liver transplant rejection monitored?
Abnormal LFTs
Fatigue
Fever
Jaundice