Liver Transplant

Liver Transplant

Signs and Symptoms
Evaluation
Treatment

Evaluation

A preliminary evaluation is the first step in helping you and the transplant team determine whether transplantation is an appropriate treatment for your child. It also enables the transplant team to assess the medical factors related to your child's liver failure.

The appointment will take a full day, from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can be very tiring. The following tips will help you prepare for this first appointment:

• If possible, have family members or close friends accompany you to help understand the significant amount of information you will be receiving about the transplantation process.
• Because your child will be undergoing many tests, don't let him or her eat or drink anything after midnight of the day before your appointment. Plan to bring a snack.
• Please bring any medications he or she is taking, your health insurance information and your child's medical records if you have them.

As part of the evaluation, a series of tests will be conducted, including:

• Blood Tests to help determine how well your child's liver is functioning, and to assess kidney function.
• Ultrasound to view the blood flow to and from your child's liver, and locate any abnormal masses in the liver. A probe will be moved over your child's liver so that its image can be reflected and reviewed on a screen.
• Chest X-ray to help detect infection in your child's lungs and assess the status of your child's bones.
• Electrocardiogram to help identify any changes in your child's heart rhythm.
• Pulmonary Function to measure your child's lung capacity. Your child will be asked to breathe into a machine, and blood will be drawn to determine how well oxygen is being absorbed from his or her lungs.

A liver specialist, called a hepatologist, and a surgeon also evaluates every patient. The hepatologist will do a full exam, review your child's health history and discuss what it means to be on the transplant waiting list. The wait for a new liver can be up to three years, and tests may need to be repeated prior to the transplant.

You can discuss your test results with the hepatologist and surgeon and both will answer any questions. Many parents find it helpful to write down questions before the appointment.

You will meet with the financial counselor to review your insurance information.

Once the evaluation is complete, the transplant team meets to discuss each case and to decide whether to add the your child to the waiting list. Once on the waiting list, you will be notified and your child will undergo further testing at your local doctor's office. Parents with children on the cadaveric waiting list will receive instructions about getting a pager and informing the team about changing health conditions.

If a liver transplant isn't in your child's best interest, a transplant team member will call to discuss other options.

Before your child's operation, a social worker will talk to you to about his or her adjustment after the surgery. Individual counseling also is available during your hospital stay. If necessary, a social worker can arrange follow-up services and answer questions about disability.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007