{"id":1733,"date":"2024-08-22T15:18:30","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T21:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/liver.ca\/resource\/liver-transplantation\/"},"modified":"2025-01-07T09:43:11","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T16:43:11","slug":"transplantation-du-foie","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/liver.ca\/fr\/resource\/liver-transplantation\/","title":{"rendered":"Transplantation h\u00e9patique"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"resource-topic":[51,52,36],"resource-type":[73],"class_list":["post-1733","resource","type-resource","status-publish","hentry","resource-topic-cirrhosis","resource-topic-living-donor","resource-topic-transplantation","resource-type-web"],"acf":{"type":73,"topic":[51,52,36],"blocks":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":"

Organ Donation: The Gift of Life<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nFor most people, a liver transplant is a life-saving operation. This operation involves replacing a diseased and poorly functioning liver with a healthy donated liver. A recipient may receive either an entire liver or a portion of a healthy liver. Liver transplantation has become a well-recognized treatment option for people with liver failure; in Canada, more than 400 such operations are performed every year! Livers are donated either from individuals who have been declared brain dead (with the consent of their next of kin) or from a living donor, such as a relative or friend. Liver transplant centres match donors with recipients based on compatible liver size and blood type.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>
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The Transplant Process<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\"\"A liver transplant is a major surgery<\/span>; the<\/span>\u00a0operation\u00a0<\/span>usually\u00a0<\/span>last<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0between six and eight hours.\u00a0<\/span>Like\u00a0<\/span>any major medical procedure, liver transplantation has risks. These risks\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0the benefits are carefully considered before a patient is placed on\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0waiting list for a new organ. A successful outcome depends on many factors.\u00a0<\/span>For instance, p<\/span>atients who enter surgery\u00a0<\/span>when they are\u00a0<\/span>very ill\u00a0<\/span>have<\/span>\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>greater<\/span>\u00a0risk of dying<\/span>\u00a0than those who are in better health<\/span>. Similarly, older patients with cardiac or respiratory illnesses will find the transplant a greater challenge<\/span>\u00a0than younger patients who don\u2019t have other health conditions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhen medical therapy is effective in stopping the progression of liver disease, transplantation may be avoided or delayed. If a patient develops advanced disease with\u00a0<\/span>non-reversible\u00a0<\/span>impaired liver function, liver transplantation should be considered. Liver transplantation is not suitable for everyone, so all potential transplant patients must be carefully assessed. The assessment starts when the specialist or family doctor makes a referral to the transplant team. Patients receive a comprehensive medical evaluation<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0includ<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0various tests and interviews<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0by various team members to determine whether transplantation is the best treatment option. The patient and\/or family members are extensively involved in the transplant assessment and decision-making process.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n\"ClinicalThe waiting time for a new liver may be uncertain and stressful. The sickest patients receive<\/span>\u00a0a higher<\/span>\u00a0priority for a transplant. Prioritization is based on severity of the liver disease<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0measured by a Model for End-<\/span>S<\/span>tage Liver Disease\u00a0<\/span>(MELD)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>score. In children, a modified scoring system, called Pediatric End-<\/span>S<\/span>tage Liver\u00a0<\/span>D<\/span>isease\u00a0<\/span>(PELD)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>score, is used. If patients and families hav<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0difficulty coping during\u00a0<\/span>the waiting time, they are encouraged to<\/span>\u00a0seek assistance\u00a0<\/span>from<\/span>\u00a0a qualified health professional.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>
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Before Your Transplant<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\"\"Some people wait a long time for their transplant while others may experience a rapid decline in their health, leading to an urgent transplant. It is normal for patients and family members to feel a range of emotions during the transplant journey, regardless of the kind of path they are on.\r\n\r\nMany people have positive emotions: hope, joy, and gratitude. But it is also normal to have difficult emotions, such as fear, sadness, anxiety, irritability, anger, and grief. It may be the patient who experiences strong emotions, or it may be their caregivers; anyone can experience stress and burnout during the transplant journey. Here are some common causes of stress for those who are being assessed or waiting for a transplant:\r\n\r\nFeelings of Guilt:\r\n
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  • Thinking that someone has to die for you to receive an organ<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Feeling like you are a burden to others<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Blaming yourself for your disease<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nLifestyle Changes:\r\n
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    • Experiencing symptoms of your disease, such as confusion, shortness of breath, low-blood sugar, dizziness or fatigue<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Living with the medical treatments and side effects that impact your quality of life (This might include taking new medications that have unpleasant side effects, monitoring your blood sugar and giving yourself insulin, having dialysis, or carrying oxygen tanks or mechanical devices.)<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Having a hard time following the recommendations made by your health team, such as physical activity guidelines, fluid or diet restrictions, or abstaining from alcohol or cigarettes<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Losing your sex drive or ability due to your physical condition, side effects of medication, changes in self-esteem, or emotional health<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFear and Anxiety:\r\n
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      • Worrying about what may happen in the future<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Worrying about having a long hospital stay<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Waiting for assessment results or to be placed on the transplant list<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Being called in for a transplant and finding out the organ was not a suitable match for you (false alarms)<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Being in denial that you need a transplant<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Fearing that death may come before a donor organ becomes available<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Worrying about not surviving the surgery or about potential risks<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nSocial or Relationship Stresses:\r\n
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        • Losing control over your life (choices, careers, school, or time)<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Lacking support from family or friends<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Feeling isolated and alone, like no one else understands<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Experiencing financial problems<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Feeling helpless and dependent on others<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>
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          Living with a Transplant<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nIn Canada, the long-term success rate of transplantation for both adults and children is more than 80%. Immediately after surgery, patients are taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where they are placed on a machine known as a mechanical ventilator, which supports their breathing. They are carefully monitored for signs of infection. Frequent tests are conducted to assess the functioning of the new liver. Most patients spend one to three days in the ICU before they are transferred to a step-down transplant unit. At this point, they are able to breathe on their own but will continue to have intravenous lines delivering medication. Following continued improvement and physiotherapy, patients usually leave the hospital after 10-14 days. They will be required to remain close to the transplant centre for several weeks and will attend an outpatient clinic for continued monitoring of their new liver. Most patients return to a good quality of life within three to six months after surgery.\r\n\r\n\"\"All liver transplant patients must take anti-rejection medications for the rest of their lives. These are monitored to ensure the right amount of medication is present in the patient\u2019s blood. These medications suppress the immune system, enabling the body to accept the new liver without attacking it. However, these medications also make all liver transplant patients more susceptible to developing infections. Infection prevention techniques are very important after receiving a transplant. There are many side effects associated with anti-rejection medications and they vary depending on the specific regimen a patient receives. Many patients experience some form of side effect during their course of treatment; however, many of the side effects are temporary or manageable. The risk of side effects also depends on the amount of anti-rejection medications required to protect the transplanted organ. The transplant team will often use the least amount of anti-rejection medications needed in hopes of avoiding or minimizing the risk of unwanted side effects. Furthermore, the transplant team monitors patients closely so that side effects can be identified and dealt with quickly.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>
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          After Your Transplant<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\"liverMost liver transplant recipients are able to return to a normal and healthy lifestyle. Most report that they feel re-energized, have an improved quality of life, and enjoy everyday activities once more. Liver transplant recipients are able to participate in normal exercise after their recuperation, and women are able to conceive and have normal post-transplant pregnancies and deliveries. Despite successful surgeries, some liver transplant recipients may experience feelings of stress, anxiety, guilt and depression following their operation.\r\n\r\nBelow are some common reasons that may cause stress in the time after your transplant:\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHospital-Stay Stressors:\r\n