A liver transplant from start to finish
7 days ago
- #Medical Ethics
- #Organ Transplantation
- #Liver Disease
- A liver transplant procedure is described, from procurement to transplantation, highlighting the intricate and time-sensitive nature of the process.
- The history of organ transplantation is explored, including early attempts and the development of techniques like vascular suturing by Alexis Carrel.
- The concept of brain death and its role in organ donation is discussed, along with ethical considerations surrounding organ allocation and donor consent.
- Liver transplantation advancements, such as immunosuppressants like cyclosporine and tacrolimus, have significantly improved survival rates.
- The allocation of livers is complex, prioritizing the sickest patients through models like the MELD score, though geographic disparities and ethical dilemmas persist.
- Preventable liver diseases, such as alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), are leading causes for transplants.
- The regenerative properties of the liver are noted, with ongoing research into therapies that could reduce the need for transplants.
- Ethical debates around organ markets, donor incentives, and the balance between surgery and prevention are examined.