Liver transplant: Overview
A liver transplant is surgery to give you a healthy liver from another person. You may get a whole new liver or just part of a new liver. A whole liver comes from a person who is deceased. If you get a part of a liver from a live donor, the parts will grow back to full size in you and in the donor.
Before the transplant, you'll have tests to see how well the donor liver matches your tissue type and blood type.
Choosing a transplant center
Your doctor can refer you to an organ transplant center. You can get information about different centers and talk with your doctor about your best option. When choosing a transplant center, consider things like cost and payment options, location and travel, family support, and what types of organ transplants are offered. Learn as much as you can about each center.
Why is a liver transplant done?
You may need a transplant if your liver doesn't work as it should. Slowly over time, the liver may stop working (chronic liver disease). Normal liver tissue may be replaced by scar tissue. This is called cirrhosis. It may be caused by things such as hepatitis, long term alcohol use, or fatty liver disease.
Sometimes the liver suddenly stops working (acute liver disease). This can happen because of an infection like hepatitis or other viruses, an injury, or an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol).
A transplant may also be done for liver cancers.
How is a liver transplant done in children?
To do the surgery, the doctor makes a cut (incision) in your child's upper belly. Then the doctor removes the liver. Next, the blood vessels of the new liver are connected to your child's blood vessels. The bile duct of the new liver is connected to your child's bile duct or intestine. The doctor finishes the surgery by closing the incision with stitches or staples. The stitches will dissolve inside your child's body. The staples will be removed a few weeks after surgery. The incision will leave a scar that will fade with time.
After your child's liver transplant: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has trouble breathing.
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
- Your child has sudden chest pain, is short of breath, or coughs up blood.
- Your child has severe belly pain.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has a fever, chills, or body aches.
- Your child has been exposed to chickenpox or shingles.
- Your child has signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- Your child's body shows signs of rejecting the new liver, such as:
- Pain or swelling in the belly.
- Sudden weight gain.
- The skin or the whites of the eyes turn yellow.
- Dark urine.
- Headache, crankiness, or lack of energy.
- Light-colored or bloody stools.
- Your child has symptoms of a blood clot in the leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in the leg or groin.
- A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your child's usual skin color.
- Your child has pain that does not get better after taking pain medicine.
- Your child has loose stitches, or the incision comes open.
- Your child is bleeding through the bandage.
- Your child is sick to their stomach or vomiting or cannot keep down fluids or their anti-rejection medicines.
- Your child has trouble passing stool, especially if they have pain or swelling in the lower belly.
- Your child has any problems with any of their anti-rejection medicine.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have questions.
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