Liver

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body located directly under the ribcage on the right side of the abdomen. It plays a crucial role in the digestion of food and detoxification of harmful substances from the body.

Liver functions:

1. Storage of sugars and fats.
2. Production of proteins that aid in blood clotting and prevent bleeding.
3. Production of bile, which helps digestion of fats.
4. Removal of toxins from the blood, and elimination of  harmful substances such as alcohol and drugs.

Facts about the liver:

• The liver is the largest organ in the human body.
• The liver is a vital organ that performs over 500 functions in the human body.
• The liver is the only organ that can be partially donated and will regenerate to its normal size.
• The number of people waiting for liver transplantation far exceeds the number of available deceased donor livers.

Reasons for liver transplantation:

Liver transplantation is a treatment option for patients who suffer from liver failure that cannot be controlled with medications, and for some patients with liver cancer.

Diseases that may require liver transplantation:

• Hepatitis B and C.
• Alcoholic liver disease.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Genetic diseases that affect the liver.

Prevention of liver diseases:

• Maintain physical activity.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid foods that are high in fat.
• Take vaccines for viral hepatitis.
• Avoid contact with other people's blood to prevent infection.

Conditions for living liver donation:

• Being over 18 years old.
• Compatibility of your blood type with the patient's blood type.
• Suitability of the size of your liver to the size of the patient's liver.
• Mental and physical health.

Or by expressing the wish to donate after death by registering their desire through the Tawakkalna application and sharing that desire with his family.

Advantages of liver transplantation from living donors:

1. Reduced waiting time.
2. Improved quality of the transplanted organ.
3. Ability to schedule the transplantation procedure.

What is liver transplantation?

It is the surgical procedure of removing a failed liver that is no longer functioning properly and replacing it with a healthy liver from a deceased donor, or with a lobe of a healthy liver from a living donor.

What is the duration for which liver tissues remain viable for transplantation into the recipient's body after being removed from the donor's body?

The liver must be transplanted into the recipient's body within 12 hours after being removed from the donor's body.

Instructions to be followed post liver transplantation:

1. Most patients return to work within one to two months after the liver transplantation.
2. All normal activities can be resumed within 6 to 12 months after approval from the medical team.
3. The patient must adhere to medical appointments during the recovery period.
4. The patient should stay near the transplant center for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
5. Take medication as directed by the medical team.
6. Avoid contact with individuals who show symptoms of infectious diseases to prevent infection.
7. Maintain food hygiene to avoid food poisoning.
8. Adhere to the recommended diet plan by the medical team.

Instructions to be followed post liver donation:

• The donor usually stays in the hospital for about a week after the donation procedure.
• Recovery typically takes between 6-8 weeks.
• The liver regrows to its normal size within two months or more.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least 6 weeks.
• Avoid smoking.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Ask the medical team about physical activities that can be done after donation.

Complications of liver transplantation:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Rejection of the new organ by the body.
• Leakage or blockage of the bile duct.
• Side effects of immunosuppressant medications.