Pre Surgery Guidelines
Pre surgery guidelines for liver transplant in Dubai
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Informed. Prepared. Empowered for Surgery
A liver transplant is a life-saving procedure for individuals suffering from severe liver diseases. At King’s Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence, we provide world-class, patient-centered care with an emphasis on safety, preparation, and support from the very first step.
Whether you’re a patient or a family member, understanding the pre-surgery guidelines for liver transplant in Dubai is essential for ensuring a smooth journey toward recovery. This page will guide you through all the necessary information regarding clinical guidelines for liver transplant, criteria for liver transplant, and liver transplant pre-operative care.
Understanding the Liver Transplant Process
A liver transplant replaces a diseased liver with a healthy one, often from a deceased or living donor. The transplant option is considered only when the liver has deteriorated to the point that it can no longer perform its vital functions.
The pre-operative phase is as critical as the surgery itself. It involves a thorough medical evaluation, risk assessment, psychological readiness, and lifestyle modifications to ensure the patient is in the best possible condition prior to surgery. It is essential to follow the pre surgery guidelines for liver transplant in Dubai.
Clinical Guidelines for Liver Transplant
Our approach follows internationally recognized protocols, adjusted for regional healthcare dynamics and patient needs in the UAE. Here’s what the clinical pathway includes:
- Referral and Registration: Patients are referred by specialists or primary care providers when end-stage liver disease is suspected.
- Evaluation Phase: Comprehensive medical, surgical, psychosocial, and financial evaluations are conducted to assess suitability.
- Multidisciplinary Review: Hepatologists, transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, dietitians, and psychologists collaborate to determine transplant readiness.
- Listing for Transplant: If deemed eligible, the patient is listed for transplant and awaits donor organ availability.
These clinical steps ensure patient safety, donor compatibility, and long-term transplant success. Our Liver transplant pre-operative care Dubai caters to the health and safety of both the patient and the donor on priority.
Criteria for Liver Transplant
Not all patients are suitable candidates for a liver transplant. At King’s, we follow stringent yet compassionate selection criteria to determine eligibility, including:
- End-stage liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
- Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score assesses disease severity.
- Absence of active infections or untreated cancers.
- Good heart and lung function, verified through imaging and cardiac testing.
- Mental and emotional readiness, with proper social and caregiver support.
- Abstinence from alcohol and drugs, typically for a defined period before transplant.
- Adherence to medical advice and ability to follow post-surgical care.
Meeting these criteria is critical to improving survival rates and quality of life post-transplant.
Pre-Surgery Medical Evaluations
To check patients are fit for liver transplant surgery, several pre-surgical evaluations are necessary:
- Blood Tests: Includes liver function tests, clotting profiles, and kidney assessments.
- Imaging Scans: CT, MRI, or ultrasound scans of the liver to detect tumors, fluid, or portal hypertension.
- Cardiac and Pulmonary Tests: ECG, echocardiogram, and lung function tests to evaluate anesthesia risk.
- Cancer Screening: Routine screenings for colon, breast, and cervical cancer where appropriate.
- Infectious Disease Screening: HIV, Hepatitis B/C, tuberculosis testing.
Each evaluation is vital as they help reduce intraoperative complications and ensure transplant success.
Nutritional & Lifestyle Preparation
Good nutrition and lifestyle changes can dramatically impact surgical outcomes and recovery.
Nutritional Counseling
Patients usually experience malnutrition due to liver disease. Our dietitians provide tailored meal plans to:
- Improve protein intake (unless encephalopathy is present).
- Maintain optimal body weight.
- Avoid sodium-rich foods to prevent fluid retention.
Physical Preparation
Patients are recommended to engage in light physical activity as tolerated. This helps:
- Maintain muscle mass.
- Improve circulation.
- Reduce fatigue post-surgery.
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
Anxiety, depression, or emotional stress can negatively affect surgical readiness. We provide access to:
- Psychologists or psychiatric support.
- Group counseling.
Stress management and relaxation therapies.
Medication and Vaccination Review
Patients must stop certain medications prior to surgery while continuing others under medical supervision. Vaccination updates are essential to protect the immune-compromised body post-surgery. Required vaccines may include:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccine (if applicable)
All medication adjustments and vaccination plans are supervised by our liver transplant coordinators.
Donor Match & Waiting Period
Once all tests and evaluations are complete, patients are placed on the transplant list. In Dubai, living donor transplantation is increasingly common due to reduced wait times and better scheduling. Our team ensures continuous updates, communication, and counseling during the waiting period to help patients remain prepared.
Logistics Before Surgery
When a donor organ becomes available:
- The patient must reach the hospital immediately.
- Final cross-matching and blood tests are done.
- The surgical team preps the operating theatre while briefings are given to the family.
- Informed consent is taken once again before the procedure begins.
What to Bring on Surgery Day
- Government-issued ID and insurance documents
- List of all current medications
- Recent medical records (if outside documents exist)
- Loose, comfortable clothing
- A personal item or two for comfort
Why Choose King's Liver Transplant Centre in Dubai?
There are many reasons why individuals choose King’s. Some reasons are
- British-standard care with global expertise.
- 95% + success rates.
- Multidisciplinary teams comprising internationally trained hepatologists, surgeons, and critical care experts.
- Advanced transplant infrastructure and ICU support.
- Seamless coordination from evaluation to post-operative care.
- Living donor transplant options with shorter wait times.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The timeline varies typically from patient to patient ranging from 3 to 8 weeks. It includes medical evaluations, tests, and lifestyle adjustments.
Depending on the patient’s overall health, engaging in light work is often manageable. However, energy levels can vary from day to day, and some individuals may require time off from work to focus on their health and recovery.
Yes. A primary caregiver is essential for logistical support, emotional stability, and post-surgical care.
Follow the dietary plan, take medications as prescribed, avoid infections, and attend regular follow-up appointments.
Like any major surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, rejection of the liver, and complications from anesthesia. However, these risks are significantly minimized with expert care and preparation.
We combine cutting-edge medical technology with a compassionate, patient-first approach.
