When a potential liver has been identified, the transplant coordinator calls patients and instructs them to come to the hospital right away. Patients are admitted to the 4 Rhoads patient unit and receive a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, urine test, blood work and a physical exam to assess health status. An intravenous (IV) line is started and preoperative medications are administered. A surgery consent form is signed at this time and patients may also be asked to participate in a research study, which is always optional.
Unfortunately, not all donor livers are suitable for transplant and sometimes the transplant team does not know this until they physically evaluate the organ. We regret when this happens, but it is sometimes necessary to cancel the procedure at this point. The Penn Transplant Institute has strict quality standards for transplant organs.
Once the decision is made to operate, the patient is taken to the operating room and given anesthesia. The average liver transplant takes between four and six hours, although it may take longer if the patient has had previous abdominal surgery. During the procedure, patients’ family and friends can wait in the surgical waiting area on 2 Dulles, or in the intensive care unit (ICU) waiting area. After the procedure is completed, the transplant surgeon finds them to discuss the surgery.
Liver Transplant Procedure
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