Liver transplant

Question 1

What are the different types of liver transplants?

Answer 1

Living donor transplant, Split donation, Orthotopic transplant, Heterotopic transplant

Living donor transplant involves taking a portion of the liver from a living donor. Split donation involves splitting a deceased donor’s liver for two recipients. Orthotopic transplant replaces the diseased liver in the same anatomical location, while heterotopic transplant places the new organ differently.

Question 2

What are the indications for liver transplantation?

Answer 2

Acute liver failure, Chronic liver failure, Hepatocellular carcinoma

Acute liver failure requires immediate transplant. Chronic liver failure patients can wait longer, with about 5 months for liver availability. Specific cases of hepatocellular carcinoma may necessitate a transplant.

Question 3

What are the contraindications for liver transplantation?

Answer 3

Significant co-morbidities, Current illicit drug use, Ongoing alcohol misuse, Untreated HIV, Current or previous cancer

Significant co-morbidities include severe kidney, lung, or heart disease. Ongoing alcohol misuse generally requires 6 months of abstinence.

Question 4

How is liver transplant surgery performed?

Answer 4

Incision, Mobilization, Anastomosis

The surgery involves a ‘rooftop’ or ‘Mercedes Benz’ incision, mobilization and excision of the liver, and anastomosing the donor liver to the recipient’s vessels.

Question 5

What care is required after a liver transplant?

Answer 5

Lifelong immunosuppression, Lifestyle advice, Monitoring for complications

Lifelong immunosuppression includes drugs like steroids and tacrolimus. Patients must avoid alcohol and smoking and monitor for complications such as infections and transplant rejection.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: The type of liver transplant where a portion of the liver is taken from a living donor is called a _______.

Answer 6

Living donor transplant

Question 7

True or False: Chronic liver failure patients can wait longer for a liver transplant compared to acute liver failure patients.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Fill in the blank: A _______ transplant involves splitting a deceased donor’s liver for two recipients.

Answer 8

Split donation

Question 9

What are the signs of transplant rejection?

Answer 9

Abnormal liver function tests, Fatigue, Fever, Jaundice

Monitoring for transplant rejection is critical in post-transplant care.