What Constitutes a Liver Transplant?

by Donn Saylor

Overview

There are a variety of serious medical conditions that can lead to a liver transplant.

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The liver is one of the most vital organs in the human body. It is susceptible to a number of serious conditions, any of which could lead to a liver transplant. There are several components that make up a liver transplantation procedure.
Testing

Patients undergo a series of tests to ensure they are appropriate candidates for a liver transplant. These tests include blood and urine testing, imaging procedures, and a psychological evaluation.

Finding a Donor

Locating a suitable donor is the longest and often most frustrating part of the transplant process. According to the Mayo Clinic, the number of people on the donor waiting list far outweighs the number of obtainable livers.
Pre-Surgery

When a suitable donor organ is found, the transplant patient is immediately brought in for surgery. He is then given general anesthesia, a breathing tube, and immune-suppressing medications that keep his body from rejecting the new liver.
Surgery

During the liver transplant, the doctor makes an opening in the abdomen to access the liver. The bile ducts and blood flow to the organ are then cut off, the afflicted liver is replaced with the donor organ and the bile ducts and blood supply are reconnected.
Post-Surgery

After surgery, patients stay in the hospital for up to three weeks. They also must remain on medications that help the body accept the new organ.