The Liver Center
Welcome to the Apollo Chennai Center for Liver Diseases & Transplantation is an interdisciplinary group dedicated to treatment of, and research in, liver, biliary and pancreatic diseases.
The Liver Center's doctors include specialists in
Hepatobiliary, Transplantation & Gastrointestinal surgery
Medical Gastroenterology & Hepatology,
Medical oncology,
Gastrointestinal & Interventional radiology, Interventional Endoscopy,
Criitical care specialists, Radiation therapy, Pathology Pain Management. Support team: nurses, counsellors & therapists.
Aim
The Liver Center aims to become a ‘one stop shop’ for patients with chronic liver disease as well as Hepatobiliary & pancreatic disorders by providing multidisciplinary comprehensive evaluation of the at our ‘Liver Clinics’. These liver clinics house several specialists of the liver center simultaneously under one roof.
Save patients’ time & effort by reducing the number of visits & consultation encounters by running multidisciplinary clinics at the various Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.
Following evaluation, the patient returns to the primary consultant with our suggested ‘road map’ for further treatment and follow-up schedule. These clinics are also an effort to provide a second opinion to patients with suspected liver conditions and thus the Liver Clinics are conducted at negligible fee or cost. Our support team also engages in outreach programs aimed atgenerating awareness in the society regarding screening and monitoring for common liver diseases.
SERVICES WE OFFER
Evaluation & treatment of patients with chronic liver disease
Liver resection, Pancreatic resection, Hepatobiliary Surgery
Laparoscopic liver resections, Radiofrequency ablation & minimally invasive treatment for liver cancer.
Liver Transplantation (Living donor / Cadaveric)
Pancreas & Multi organ Transplantation
Medical management of portal hypertension & liver failure
Why Choose Us:
The Liver Center delivers the highest level of care possible.
We develop innovative treatment techniques and approaches tailored to individual patient's needs
Our team provide educational & awareness for the community through its outreach program .
We emphasize advancement through research to improve the treatment of patients with liver, biliary, and pancreatic disorders.
We employ novel surgical, radiation, endoscopic and combined multi-modality therapeutic approaches involving surgery & interventional radiology to liver, biliary & pancreatic malignancies & related disorders.
Our Expertise
Our liver specialists are experts in the application of antiviral therapy to the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C; they continue to conduct clinical trials of new antiviral drugs and to refine the application of available drugs.
The goals of this liver center are to identify therapy for the particular patients, including those who have failed previous treatment and to prevent progression of liver disease.
Liver Center ’s experts in immunosuppressive agents for organ transplantation, are addressing the shortage of organs available for transplantation on multiple fronts. We perform liver transplantation using cadaveric and living donors, employ MARS (Albumin dialysis for liver failure) as and when indicated for particular patients, Interventional radiologists, surgeons, and angiographers continue to refine invasive and minimally invasive approaches to hepatobiliary malignancies. Our large patient population provides us the opportunity to observe, study, learn, and discover new knowledge in the area of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.
Our goal is to bring new treatments and management methods to patients that prolong life and enhance its quality.
REFERRING TO THE LIVER CENTER
Referring physicians may contact us by calling either of the numbers listed below. Your request for a referral is matched to a Center specialist based on the nature of your patient's condition. You should expect a return call within 48 hours of the referral request. In emergency situations, we respond as rapidly as possible. If you prefer, you may call any of our Center physicians directly through the Apollo Hospitals Switchboard.
Communication and flow of appropriate patient-related information between referring physicians and the Liver Center team is of critical importance. In order to avoid duplicate tests, our Liver Center physicians review all relevant referral information, procedures, and tests before ordering additional studies. Our Liver Center specialists collaborate with the referring physician every step of the way in co-managing patients. At the initial consultation call placed within 24 hours of the inquiry, the Center specialist answers any of your questions and, if appropriate, arranges to see your patient for consultation. After each new patient visit, the Center specialist sends you a letter and, the suggested treatment strategy. Our Center specialists consult with the referring physician whenever appropriate.
Referring physicians can access medical information or education by contacting the respective doctor of the liver center.
http://www.livertransplant.in/livercenter.html
Saturday, January 10, 2009
STRESS OF LIVER TRANSPLANT
Coping with the Stress of Transplant
Caring for a patient with liver illness can be overwhelming and seem unmanageable at times. You may have experienced a range of emotions when your relative was first diagnosed with a serious illness. Now that a possible liver transplant is recomended, this information may likely create additional concerns and anxiety.
The waiting period for the donor liver, whether it is a few weeks or several months, can seem extremely wearisome and can create a sense of fear. If you’ve been on the waiting list for only a few weeks, you may think you didn't have enough time to prepare. On the other hand, if you have waited for several months, your concerns and anxiety may increase as the illness progresses. Often, worrying can stem from a lack of knowledge or not knowing what to anticipate. You are not alone. These feelings and concerns are appropriate for what you are experiencing.
There are things you can do to help redirect your worrying into something productive. You can refocus some of your anxiety and strengthen your ability to cope with the following tips:
Get to know your team. The interdisciplinary liver transplant team usually consists of the Gastroenterologist, Surgeon, Nurse Coordinator and Social Worker. You may also interact with a Dietitian, Psychologist, Chaplain, Physical Therapist, Pharmacist, and Nursing Staff. Talk with the members of your liver transplant team and identify each of their roles. Each person on the team has distinctive knowledge and information, which will be helpful throughout the transplant process.
Get to know your transplant center. Request a tour of the medical facility to help address questions you or your child may have in preparing for future hospitalizations. What do the rooms and intensive care units look like? Where will my relative have his/her exams? Where can I get something to eat? Where can family members sleep? Where can we take a shower? Find out about resources available at the hospital and the neighboring area. It is often helpful to contact the Liver Transplant Social Worker prior to your initial admission to the hospital/transplant center or evaluation process to help you identify these resources.
Educate yourself about your relation’s illness. Learn about the functions of the liver. What caused your relative’s liver failure (if known)? What are the symptoms to look out for? What are the medical or surgical options to help your child as his/her condition progresses?
Learn about the transplantation procedures. What are the pre- and post-transplantation procedures? What kinds of tests will be involved? How does my relative get on the waiting list? How long is the wait? What is a MELD score? How will we be contacted? How long will the hospitalization be? How often will we go to clinic? How many medications will my relative be taking? Who do we contact in case of an emergency? Your transplant team will welcome your questions and are there as a resource to you.
Get organized. Develop a "care notebook" as a reference/resource guide. If possible, request information in writing. Have a list of all the contact people at your transplant center in one place or sort all your business cards in a sleeve. Take notes and write down questions for the team. There is a great deal of information and much to learn. It can be easy to get overwhelmed. It is simple to overlook or fail to remember some of the details. Keep a calendar of appointments, lab schedules, and dates when procedures were performed. Keep copies of all medical consents for test/procedures.
Get support. Emotional support is vital during this time. Your family and friends can be excellent support givers and may also be able to handle day-to-day activities, such as childcare, house sitting, getting mail, etc. Your employers may also be supportive during this difficult period and may be able to grant you family medical leave. You may also consider contacting other families who have experienced something similar.
Take care of yourself. Make sure you eat well, sleep regularly and remember to take some time for yourself. Good physical and emotional care during this time will help you care for your relative more effectively. This will also permit you to fully enjoy your family. If you notice you are having difficulty coping, you may consider talking with a professional about your physical and emotional health during this period.
No matter what your situation is, support for your relative and getting support for yourself is essential. Enjoy your family every moment. Facing a serious illness together can be enriching as well as stressful and allows families to appreciate how precious and valuable life is.
Caring for a patient with liver illness can be overwhelming and seem unmanageable at times. You may have experienced a range of emotions when your relative was first diagnosed with a serious illness. Now that a possible liver transplant is recomended, this information may likely create additional concerns and anxiety.
The waiting period for the donor liver, whether it is a few weeks or several months, can seem extremely wearisome and can create a sense of fear. If you’ve been on the waiting list for only a few weeks, you may think you didn't have enough time to prepare. On the other hand, if you have waited for several months, your concerns and anxiety may increase as the illness progresses. Often, worrying can stem from a lack of knowledge or not knowing what to anticipate. You are not alone. These feelings and concerns are appropriate for what you are experiencing.
There are things you can do to help redirect your worrying into something productive. You can refocus some of your anxiety and strengthen your ability to cope with the following tips:
Get to know your team. The interdisciplinary liver transplant team usually consists of the Gastroenterologist, Surgeon, Nurse Coordinator and Social Worker. You may also interact with a Dietitian, Psychologist, Chaplain, Physical Therapist, Pharmacist, and Nursing Staff. Talk with the members of your liver transplant team and identify each of their roles. Each person on the team has distinctive knowledge and information, which will be helpful throughout the transplant process.
Get to know your transplant center. Request a tour of the medical facility to help address questions you or your child may have in preparing for future hospitalizations. What do the rooms and intensive care units look like? Where will my relative have his/her exams? Where can I get something to eat? Where can family members sleep? Where can we take a shower? Find out about resources available at the hospital and the neighboring area. It is often helpful to contact the Liver Transplant Social Worker prior to your initial admission to the hospital/transplant center or evaluation process to help you identify these resources.
Educate yourself about your relation’s illness. Learn about the functions of the liver. What caused your relative’s liver failure (if known)? What are the symptoms to look out for? What are the medical or surgical options to help your child as his/her condition progresses?
Learn about the transplantation procedures. What are the pre- and post-transplantation procedures? What kinds of tests will be involved? How does my relative get on the waiting list? How long is the wait? What is a MELD score? How will we be contacted? How long will the hospitalization be? How often will we go to clinic? How many medications will my relative be taking? Who do we contact in case of an emergency? Your transplant team will welcome your questions and are there as a resource to you.
Get organized. Develop a "care notebook" as a reference/resource guide. If possible, request information in writing. Have a list of all the contact people at your transplant center in one place or sort all your business cards in a sleeve. Take notes and write down questions for the team. There is a great deal of information and much to learn. It can be easy to get overwhelmed. It is simple to overlook or fail to remember some of the details. Keep a calendar of appointments, lab schedules, and dates when procedures were performed. Keep copies of all medical consents for test/procedures.
Get support. Emotional support is vital during this time. Your family and friends can be excellent support givers and may also be able to handle day-to-day activities, such as childcare, house sitting, getting mail, etc. Your employers may also be supportive during this difficult period and may be able to grant you family medical leave. You may also consider contacting other families who have experienced something similar.
Take care of yourself. Make sure you eat well, sleep regularly and remember to take some time for yourself. Good physical and emotional care during this time will help you care for your relative more effectively. This will also permit you to fully enjoy your family. If you notice you are having difficulty coping, you may consider talking with a professional about your physical and emotional health during this period.
No matter what your situation is, support for your relative and getting support for yourself is essential. Enjoy your family every moment. Facing a serious illness together can be enriching as well as stressful and allows families to appreciate how precious and valuable life is.
Friday, January 9, 2009
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING LIVER TRANSPLANT
Living liver transplant During a liver transplant If you're notified that a donor liver is available, you'll be asked to come to the hospital immediately. Your health care team will admit you to the hospital, and you'll undergo an exam to make sure you're healthy enough for the surgery.
Liver transplant surgery is done using general anesthesia, so you'll be unaware during the procedure. A tube is put down your throat to help you breathe. Drugs that suppress your immune system are injected into your veins to help keep your body's disease-fighting immune system from attacking the new liver.
The transplant surgeon makes a long incision across your abdomen to access your liver. The location and size of your incision varies according to your surgeon's approach and your own anatomy.
The surgeon disconnects your liver's blood supply and the bile ducts and then removes the diseased liver. The donor liver is then placed in your body and blood vessels and bile ducts are reattached. Surgery can take four to 14 hours, depending on your situation.
Once your new liver is in place, the surgeon uses stitches and staples to close the surgical incision. You're then taken to the intensive care unit to begin recovery.
Liver transplant using a living donor
If you're receiving a liver transplant from a living donor, such as a friend or family member, surgeons will transplant a portion of the donor's liver in your body. Surgeons first operate on the donor, removing one portion of the liver for transplant. Then surgeons remove your diseased liver and place the donated liver portion in your body. They then connect your blood vessels and bile ducts to the new liver.
The transplanted liver portion in your body and the portion left behind in the donor's body regenerate rapidly. Within a week, your new liver grows to 85 percent of its original size. Regeneration continues for several months.
After a liver transplant
After your liver transplant, you can expect to:
Stay in the intensive care unit for a few days. Doctors and nurses will monitor your condition to watch for signs of complications. They'll also test your liver function frequently for signs that your new liver is working. Spend 1 to 3 weeks in the hospital. Once you're stable, you're taken to a transplant recovery area to continue recuperating. Have frequent checkups as you continue recovering at home. Your transplant team designs a checkup schedule for you. For instance, you may need your blood drawn three times a week for blood tests and to meet with your doctor weekly. For the first several weeks you may need someone to drive you to appointments. Take medications for the rest of your life. You'll take a number of medications after your liver transplant, many for the rest of your life. Drugs called immunosuppressants help keep your immune system from attacking your new liver. Other drugs help reduce the risk of other complications after your transplant
Liver transplant surgery is done using general anesthesia, so you'll be unaware during the procedure. A tube is put down your throat to help you breathe. Drugs that suppress your immune system are injected into your veins to help keep your body's disease-fighting immune system from attacking the new liver.
The transplant surgeon makes a long incision across your abdomen to access your liver. The location and size of your incision varies according to your surgeon's approach and your own anatomy.
The surgeon disconnects your liver's blood supply and the bile ducts and then removes the diseased liver. The donor liver is then placed in your body and blood vessels and bile ducts are reattached. Surgery can take four to 14 hours, depending on your situation.
Once your new liver is in place, the surgeon uses stitches and staples to close the surgical incision. You're then taken to the intensive care unit to begin recovery.
Liver transplant using a living donor
If you're receiving a liver transplant from a living donor, such as a friend or family member, surgeons will transplant a portion of the donor's liver in your body. Surgeons first operate on the donor, removing one portion of the liver for transplant. Then surgeons remove your diseased liver and place the donated liver portion in your body. They then connect your blood vessels and bile ducts to the new liver.
The transplanted liver portion in your body and the portion left behind in the donor's body regenerate rapidly. Within a week, your new liver grows to 85 percent of its original size. Regeneration continues for several months.
After a liver transplant
After your liver transplant, you can expect to:
Stay in the intensive care unit for a few days. Doctors and nurses will monitor your condition to watch for signs of complications. They'll also test your liver function frequently for signs that your new liver is working. Spend 1 to 3 weeks in the hospital. Once you're stable, you're taken to a transplant recovery area to continue recuperating. Have frequent checkups as you continue recovering at home. Your transplant team designs a checkup schedule for you. For instance, you may need your blood drawn three times a week for blood tests and to meet with your doctor weekly. For the first several weeks you may need someone to drive you to appointments. Take medications for the rest of your life. You'll take a number of medications after your liver transplant, many for the rest of your life. Drugs called immunosuppressants help keep your immune system from attacking your new liver. Other drugs help reduce the risk of other complications after your transplant
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