Excellent long-term survival following living donor liver transplantation

New Delhi: Seeking chronic liver disease due to an autoimmune disorder in his wife, husband gifted her a part of his liver to save her life. Doctors at Max Hospital Saket successfully performed the Living Donor Liver Transplantation surgery. The 41-year-old school teacher from Lucknow was diagnosed to be suffering from autoimmune cirrhosis, one year back, and despite all measures, her disease continued to worsen.
 
She developed liver decompensation in the form of ascites, jaundice, and recurrent episodes of hepatic encephalopathy. This greatly compromised her routine day-to-day lifestyle, and it was unlikely that she could survive beyond a few months.
 
“Due to her rapidly worsening condition, the only option to save her was liver transplantation. Getting someone to donate a part of his / her liver was indeed a hugely challenging and uphill task. Luckily her husband volunteered to be the liver donor. After complete evaluation and counseling, a living donor liver transplant was performed in her tight lobe. Thankfully she had a dramatic recovery, and the liver graft started working well under the cover of immunosuppressive medications.” said Dr. Sanjiv Saigal, currently Principal Director and Head, Hepatology and Liver Transplant, at Centre of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Max Hospital, Saket, Delhi.
 
Facing several biliary issues during her postoperative period, she also needed laparotomy and hepaticojejunostomy. Pertaining to her complication, she underwent percutaneous biliary intervention & multiple stent exchanges which she tolerated very well and gradually returned back to her full active life. She diligently remained under the close follow-up of Dr. Saigal and Dr. Gupta and presently, she is doing very well & leading a healthy productive life. This case highlights how a successful LDLT can become a boon & offer long-term survival even in end-stage liver disease patients.
 
“It is important to note that there is a huge burden of liver diseases in our country, and for those who develop end-stage liver disease, the only definitive treatment is a liver transplant. However, there is a huge scarcity of brain-dead organ donors in our country due to a lack of awareness. In such circumstances, living-related organ liver donor remains the only feasible option” said Dr. Saigal
 
While Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Alcohol, and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are among the top causes of chronic liver disease in the country, the other causes include autoimmune liver disease (as in this lady), which if not diagnosed and treated early, can lead to end-stage liver failure necessitating liver transplant.
 
People should be aware that even patients with advanced liver failure can undergo liver transplant surgery as a life-saving procedure in highly specialized hospitals having excellent outcomes and better quality of life.” He added