The liver has many functions, including building proteins and other substances for the body to use, drug metabolism, and energy storage. The liver also removes waste products and toxins from the blood. Liver disease causes these crucial functions to fail. When liver failure is too severe to respond to medications, liver transplantation may be an option. Because transplantation is a major surgical procedure and there is a shortage of available donor organs, not every person with liver failure can receive a transplant. At each transplant center, a multidisciplinary team reviews and selects patients who are then placed on a waiting list for a suitable donor organ. These donor organs are allocated based on need (the most severely ill persons are considered first) and compatibility of donor and recipient. The January 18, 2012, issue of JAMA includes an article about liver transplantation in children. This Patient Page is based on one previously published in the May 10, 2006, issue of JAMA.
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Hepatitis C and hepatitis B—forms of hepatitis (liver infections) that can cause serious, permanent liver damage
Cirrhosis (permanent liver damage from diseases such as fatty liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, and inherited liver diseases)
In children, biliary atresia (failure of bile duct formation) is the most common reason for needing a liver transplant.
Toxic hepatic failure (can occur from taking certain prescription drugs, eating poisonous mushrooms, or overdoses of drugs such as acetaminophen)
Hepatocellular carcinoma (a primary cancer of the liver tissue), when found at an early, treatable stage
Liver transplantation is a major operation that takes place only in specialized transplant centers. The patient's diseased liver is removed through an abdominal incision. The new liver is then placed into the patient, with connections of blood vessels (portal vein , hepatic artery , and hepatic veins or inferior vena cava ) and the biliary system. Persons who have liver transplants require intensive care and close monitoring after their operation. In a few cases, only part of a healthy liver from a living (usually related) donor may be used. This requires the donor to have an operation to remove a part of his or her liver, which is then transplanted into the person with liver failure.
Immunosuppressive medications (drugs that prevent rejection of the transplanted organ) must be taken for the rest of the individual's life.
The transplanted liver is monitored for function and for rejection and the medication regimen is often adjusted.
Persons with transplanted organs should avoid close contact with ill individuals to prevent infection. Illnesses that healthy persons can tolerate have serious consequences for patients who are taking immunosuppressive medications.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases www.niddk.nih.gov
American Liver Foundation www.liverfoundation.org
United Network for Organ Sharing www.unos.org
To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA 's Web site at www.jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish. A Patient Page on hepatitis C was published in the February 1, 2007, issue; and one on hepatitis B was published in the April 13, 2011, issue.
Sources: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, American Liver Foundation, United Network for Organ Sharing, American Gastroenterological Association
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 312/464-0776.
Topic: TRANSPLANTATION
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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