Lucknow: A 50-year-old patient suffering from advanced end-stage liver disease got a new lease of life after his elder son flew in from the United Kingdom to donate a part of his liver, enabling a life-saving transplant.He battled alcohol-related liver cirrhosis and developed multiple complications, including fluid accumulation in the abdomen, repeated kidney problems, internal bleeding, breathing difficulties and very low platelet counts.
Despite quitting alcohol two years ago and undergoing prolonged treatment, his condition continued to deteriorate, leaving liver transplantation as the only viable option.The transplant was carried out at Max Super Speciality Hospital after a detailed medical evaluation. The patient was treated under the supervision of Dr Waliullah Siddiqui, director of hepato-pancreato-biliary and liver transplant Surgery and Dr Rajesh Dey, director of liver transplant and biliary sciences, who led the multidisciplinary transplant team.Initially, the patient’s younger son was assessed as a potential donor, but his liver volume was found to be insufficient for a safe transplant.At this stage, the patient’s elder son, Anurag Valechha, who is studying and working in the department of computer science at Royal College, Cambridge, travelled to India and underwent a fast-track donor evaluation. He was found medically fit and suitable for donation.The living donor liver transplant was performed successfully without major complications or the need for significant blood transfusion. Both donor and recipient recovered well, with the donor discharged on the 6th post-operative day and the patient on the 12th day.
