What happens during a liver transplant operation?
A liver transplant is one of the most complex operations there is. Learn more about liver transplant surgery with liver transplant surgeon Robert Brown, MD, MPH.
Transcript
During the liver transplant operation, the sick liver is removed from the body and a new liver, either from a deceased donor, someone who's died,
or a living donor, where we use a part of the liver, is sewn in place. [MUSIC PLAYING]
It goes in the exact same anatomic location as the prior liver, and is attached to the recipient's arteries, veins,
and bile ducts that drain the liver exactly where the prior sick liver was. Though the operation sounds simple,
this is one of the most complex operations that is performed in the world. Because the patient is so ill going in,
the recovery period can be complex and long. Though, a good liver transplant, with a good functioning liver,
patients can get out of the hospital in as early as eight days. But all of our patients come from the operating room
directly into the intensive care unit. They have lots of tubes and wires, but as the liver starts to function, they rapidly recover.
We get all those tubes and wires out, patients start walking around within a day or two, eating usually at that same time,
and after we adjust all of the medications needed, both to suppress their immune system and prevent rejection and to prevent infection
from the immune suppression, we can often get patients on the road to recovery in a week or two. Though, they won't expect to regain
liver health
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