- Advances in medical science have made organ transplants a common occurrence. Since organ donors are far more scarce than people needing transplants, long waiting lists and restrictions apply to those seeking organs. Livers are in especially high demand, as multiple disease processes can attack the liver, thus making it incapable of functioning properly in the long term. Transplant patients must be prepared to undergo a very intensive surgery and be ready immediately once a liver becomesavailable, as all organs have a short window for use.
- The liver is harvested from the donor's body once the donor is declared brain dead. Usually, other organs are removed for transplant at the same time. Once all the organs have been excised, they are packed in ice and readied for transplant. Packed organs are often flown by helicopter to the necessary hospital. Unlike the heart, if stored correctly, a liver can be preserved safely overnight, and even as long as 24 hours. Typically, however, surgeons like to begin surgery as promptly as possible, to give the transplant the best possible chance of success.
- The first thing that occurs during a liver transplant surgery is that the old liver is carefully removed. This is a delicate procedure, since the team of surgeons needs to ensure that the blood vessels and other structures in the area are preserved, and that the patient doesn't bleed out. Next, the surgeons place the new liver inside the body, and reconnect the crucial major blood vessels that serve the liver. Once they're assured the liver is receiving an adequate blood supply, the surgeons move on to reconnecting the bile duct. Finally, if all is well, the patient is sewn up. Following surgery, the transplant patient can expect to remain in the hospital for up to three weeks.
