Pediatric Liver Transplant Surgery
Pediatric liver transplantation is a critical surgical procedure for children with end-stage liver disease, congenital liver disorders, or metabolic liver conditions.
The procedure involves transplanting a whole or partial donor liver to restore proper liver function.
It helps children regain growth, nutrition, and overall health, significantly improving quality of life and long-term outcomes.
Overview And Clinical Background
Pediatric liver transplant replaces a failing liver in children with a donor organ.
Indications include biliary atresia, metabolic liver diseases, cirrhosis, and acute liver failure.
The surgery requires careful donor-recipient matching and specialized pediatric surgical expertise to ensure optimal outcomes.
- Indication: Severe liver disease in children unresponsive to medical or surgical therapy.
- Donor options include living-related partial liver or deceased donor liver.
- Surgical goal: Restore liver function, promote normal growth, and improve quality of life in pediatric patients.
Symptoms, Signs And Presentation
Children may present with jaundice, growth retardation, abdominal swelling, poor appetite, and fatigue due to liver insufficiency.
Early identification and referral are crucial for timely intervention.
- Common symptoms: Yellowing of skin/eyes, failure to thrive, abdominal distension, and lethargy.
- Recurrent infections and clotting abnormalities may also occur.
- Red flag: Severe hepatic encephalopathy, uncontrolled bleeding, or acute liver failure require urgent evaluation.
Diagnosis Methods And Investigations
Pediatric Liver Evaluation And Donor Assessment
Pre-transplant workup includes liver function tests, imaging studies, viral and metabolic screening, and donor-recipient compatibility testing.
Comprehensive evaluation ensures surgical safety and graft success.
- Lab tests: LFTs, coagulation profile, viral hepatitis panel, metabolic studies, and renal function.
- Imaging: Ultrasound, CT, or MRI to assess liver anatomy, vasculature, and potential complications.
- Donor-recipient crossmatching and size compatibility are essential for pediatric success.
Treatment Options And Surgical Techniques
Pediatric liver transplantation is performed under general anesthesia.
The diseased liver is removed and replaced with a donor liver segment, with meticulous reconnection of blood vessels and bile ducts to ensure proper function.
- Medical optimization: Stabilization with medications, nutritional support, and management of complications prior to surgery.
- Surgical transplant: Orthotopic liver transplantation with precise vascular and biliary reconstruction for pediatric patients.
- Post-operative immunosuppressive therapy prevents graft rejection and supports long-term function.
Recovery, Risks And Prognosis
Children typically remain in hospital 2–3 weeks with close monitoring in pediatric ICU.
Risks include infection, graft rejection, and vascular or biliary complications.
With proper care, children often achieve excellent growth, normal development, and long-term survival.
Why Choose Us
CureU Healthcare provides expert pediatric transplant surgeons, child-friendly ICU facilities, and comprehensive post-transplant care.
Our multidisciplinary team ensures safety, growth monitoring, and holistic support for both children and families.
Conclusion
Pediatric liver transplant restores vital liver function in children, supporting growth, health, and quality of life.
Expert care ensures successful outcomes and long-term well-being.
