Health A-Z

Deceased donor liver transplant, also known as cadaveric liver transplant, is a surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased or failing liver with a healthy liver from a deceased donor. Here's how it relates to symptoms, treatment plans, and diagnosis testing.

1. End-stage liver disease symptoms: These may include:
   • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
   • Fatigue and weakness
   • Loss of appetite and weight loss
   • Swelling in the abdomen (ascites) or legs (edema)
   • Easy bruising or bleeding
   • Mental confusion or changes in behavior (hepatic encephalopathy).

1. Evaluation: Patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a transplant team, which includes liver specialists (hepatologists), transplant surgeons, transplant coordinators, social workers, and other healthcare professionals. This evaluation assesses the patient's overall health, suitability for surgery, and ability to comply with post-transplant care requirements.
2. Waiting list: Once approved for transplant, patients are placed on a waiting list maintained by national organ allocation organizations. The allocation of donor livers is based on factors such as blood type, body size, medical urgency, and waiting time.
3. Surgery: When a suitable donor liver becomes available, the transplant surgery is performed. During the surgery, the diseased liver is removed, and the healthy donor liver is implanted and connected to the patient's blood vessels and bile ducts.
4. Post-transplant care: After surgery, patients require close monitoring in the hospital to ensure proper healing and function of the transplanted liver. Immunosuppressive medications are prescribed to prevent rejection of the donor liver by the recipient's immune system.
5. Rehabilitation: Following discharge from the hospital, patients undergo rehabilitation and receive ongoing medical care to optimize recovery and manage complications, such as infection, rejection, or side effects of immunosuppressive medications.

1. Liver function tests: Blood tests are performed to assess liver function, including levels of enzymes, bilirubin, and albumin.
2. Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be used to evaluate the size and condition of the liver and to identify any structural abnormalities or signs of liver disease.
3. Liver biopsy: In some cases, a liver biopsy may be performed to obtain a small sample of liver tissue for microscopic examination to determine the extent and severity of liver damage.