Hepatitis B and C are important factors in liver tumors and failure. In 15% of patients with hepatitis B, there may be tumors or failure in advanced stages. Liver failure due to hepatitis B is the most common in our country. If the patient has end-stage liver failure, transplantation is inevitable.

From living or cadaveric donors…

The process of removing the diseased liver and replacing it with a healthy liver is called “liver transplant”. Since the liver has the ability to regenerate and grow, unlike all other organs in the body, liver transplantation from a living donor is possible. It can be done by donating the organs of a relative with a compatible blood group or a person who has brain death (transplant from a cadaver).

The liver reaches its former size in 2 months.

The liver has some features that are not found in other organs. One of them is the self-renewal feature called “Regeneration”. For example; As a result of the operations performed in tumor cases, 70% of the liver is removed, and the remaining 30% completes itself in about 2 months and reaches its former size. This applies to both the recipient and the donor in the transplants we perform. The liver given from the donor and the liver taken from the donor reach their old size after a while.

Complaints may vary according to the stages of the disease.

Liver tumors may occur with symptoms such as weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and jaundice in general. The presence of liver or bile-related problems should be investigated in a patient who does not feel well, is sluggish, has weight loss, and has jaundice. It is a disease that usually causes fatigue. Symptoms and complaints may vary depending on whether diseases such as hepatitis B and C have active or chronic periods. Hepatitis B vaccine must be taken to prevent the disease. The life span of a 40-year-old person who is in the last stage of liver failure is limited to 3-5 months. However, after the transplant, the person is provided with a longer and higher quality life.

Timing is important in liver transplant

If the patient is in the last stage of liver failure (Child C), the liver is absolutely necessary. The “MELD” score, which is determined according to the patient’s analyzes, also enables us to make a transplant decision.  If the MELD score is above 15, it is decided that the patient needs liver transplantation. In addition, liver transplantation is required if the patient has decompensated liver failure and this liver failure now causes some systematic findings. These findings may include the formation of varicose veins around the esophagus, enlargement of the spleen and acid accumulation in the abdomen.

Pay attention to the foods you consume

It is excessive energy foods and drinks that are harmful to the liver. Because these always tire the liver. It is necessary to adjust the measure of these foods you consume. A vegetable that we can define as the friend of the liver is “artichoke”. It is anti-tumor with its antioxidant properties. It facilitates digestion by increasing the quality and fluidity of bile production. It removes the toxins accumulated in the body. Similarly, the red pepper is also a beneficial vegetable for the liver.

Post-transplant life

After the transplant, most people can return to their work and continue their daily lives. However, there are some conditions that should be considered in the postoperative period. The first of these is not driving for at least 4 weeks after the transplant. For the first 6 weeks, care should be taken not to lift heavy objects until your abdominal wall heals. At the end of the 12th week, you can travel easily. Eating can be started immediately after bowel movements begin. After the surgery, if there are no special conditions such as diabetes and cholesterol disease, normal eating habits can be returned.