Liver Transplant Rejection

Overview

Liver transplantation is a surgical procedure done for the replacement of a non functioning liver with a healthy liver from a donor whom may be dead or alive. Liver transplantation may include replacement with a whole healthy liver or just a section of a healthy liver. This is due to the ability of the liver to regenerate. However, the body's defence system may recognize the transplanted liver as a threat or foreign substance and release antibodies to attack and kill the new organ. This condition is known as liver transplant rejection. Liver transplant rejection can be an acute rejection or chronic rejection. The common signs and symptoms include high fever, jaundice, dark coloured urine, itchiness, abdominal swelling, fatigue, irritability and headache. Hence, to enable the immune system to accept the transplant in the body and allow it to function normally, immunosuppressive medications are given such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus and prednisone.