Liver Transplant (cont.)
What Complications Are Associated With Liver Transplantation?
Two of the most common complications following liver transplantation are rejection and infection.
Rejection
Your immune system works to destroy foreign substances that invade your body. The immune system, however, cannot distinguish between your transplanted liver and unwanted invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. Therefore, your immune system may attempt to attack and destroy your new liver. This is called a rejection episode. About 70% of all liver-transplant patients have some degree of organ rejection prior to discharge. Antirejection medications are given to ward off the immune attack.
Infection
Because antirejection drugs that suppress your immune system are needed to prevent the liver from being rejected, you are at increased risk for infections. This problem diminishes as time passes. Not all patients have problems with infections, and most infections can be treated successfully as they occur.
What Are Antirejection Medications?
After the transplant, you will receive medications called immunosuppressants. These medications slow or suppress your immune system to prevent it from rejecting your new liver. They may include azathioprine (Imuran), Cellcept (myophenolate mofetil) prednisone (Deltasone, Kedral, Medrol, Orasone, Prelone, Sterapred DS), cyclosporine (Neoral), Prograf (a brand of FK506) and Rapamune (sirolimus). You must take these drugs exactly as prescribed for the rest of your life.
When Will I Be Able to Go Home?
The average hospital stay after liver transplantation is two weeks to three weeks. Some patients may be discharged in less than two weeks, while others may be in the hospital much longer, depending on complications that may arise. You need to be prepared for both possibilities.
To provide a smooth transition from hospital to home, the nursing staff and your transplant coordinator will begin to prepare you for discharge shortly after you are transferred from the intensive-care unit to the regular nursing floor. You will be given a discharge manual, which reviews much of what you will need to know before you go home.
You will learn how to take your new medications and how to monitor your own blood pressure and pulse. As you perform these functions regularly, you will become an important participant in your own healthcare. Before your discharge, you will also learn the signs of rejection and infection and will know when it is important to call your doctor.
Readmission after discharge is common, especially within the first year after transplantation. The admission is usually for treatment of a rejection episode or infection.
Next: What follow-up is necessary after a liver transplant? »
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