Fortis Escorts Doctors perform auto liver transplant on 35-year-old Kyrgyzstan woman

The patient has been suffering from abdominal pain for the past three months. The team of doctors led by Dr. Vivek Vij, Chairman- Liver Transplant at Fortis Escorts, Okhla, New Delhi, performed this complex transplant where the surgery took 8 hours. The patient was discharged on the 8th day post-surgery.

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The patient was initially evaluated in Kyrgyzstan and was diagnosed with a parasitic infection -Echinococcosis Multilocularis, which suggests a slow-growing liver tumor with subsequent damage to the liver; 75 % of the liver was damaged. In such cases, a liver transplant remains the only treatment option. At Fortis Escorts, Okhla, a CT Scan was done which confirmed the presence of the infection and showed acute liver failure. In view of the extensive damage caused to the liver and surrounding organs, the doctors decided to conduct an auto-liver transplant.

Giving details of the procedure, Dr. Vivek Vij, Chairman-Liver Transplant, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, New Delhi said, “During the surgery, we removed the damaged part of the liver and successfully replaced it with a normal part of the liver. Postoperatively, the patient had a fast recovery and was discharged on the 8th day of surgery in a stable condition without any immunosuppressant medicines which is usually required after organ transplantation.

The dissection for removal of the diseased part was quite challenging as the liver was stuck with surrounding vital structures and there was a risk of injury to vital organs along with complications and bleeding. Echinococcosis Multilocularis is a rare health condition and has about 10% chances of reoccurrence. If not treated on time and correctly, the infection might affect the lungs, kidney, large blood vessels, and intestines of the patient. In majority of the reported cases for Echinococcosis Multilocularis, liver transplant is adopted to cure the patient.

However, in this particular case, we opted for a novel technique – AutoLiver Transplant where, the damaged part of the liver was removed and replaced by a healthy part of the liver. Utilizing a part of the patients own liver is a boon as immunosuppressive medicines are not required.”

Bidesh Chandra Paul, Zonal Director, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, New Delhi said, “This is a major milestone in healthcare and medical sciences as the doctors at Fortis Escorts, Okhla successfully performed the auto liver transplantation procedure. This is the second case of Auto Liver Transplant performed in India as this transplant needs a lot of experience and expertise.

This was a very challenging case considering the risk factors associated with it. However, the team of doctors led by Dr. Vivek Vij assessed all parameters and conducted the procedure well. Fortis Escorts, Okhla is well equipped to handle organ transplants, and we endeavour to provide the highest quality of care to patients.”

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