What Happens After Liver Transplant Surgery?
After liver transplant surgery, your child will go to the pediatric
intensive care unit (PICU). You can be with your child at this time. Your child
will get pain medicine and might be resting when you arrive.
How long your child stays in the PICU depends on his or her condition. Generally,
the stay is just a few days. When ready, your child will be transferred to a special
unit for transplant patients. There, the transplant team will care for and closely
watch your child.
Most children stay in the hospital for a couple of weeks after surgery. During
this time, they and their families learn how to care for the new liver. Be sure you
understand the doctors' instructions, because your child will need to follow them
carefully.
In the weeks after your child goes home, you'll return to the hospital many times
so that the doctors can make sure that everything is going well.
What Problems Can Happen?
Most kids don't have any problems after the surgery, but bleeding, infection, and
other problems can happen.
One of the most common problems after transplant surgery is rejection.
Rejection happens because the body doesn't recognize the new liver and doesn't know
that it is helpful. So the immune
system tries to attack it.
Medicines (called immunosuppressants, or anti-rejection
medicines) help to control this reaction. In a sense, they trick the body
into accepting the new liver. Taking them can make your child more likely to get infections,
especially in the days right after surgery. So keep your child away from sick people,
and have everyone at home wash
their hands well and often.
The risk of rejection is greatest in the first few weeks after transplant surgery.
But the body never completely accepts the new liver. So anti-rejection medicines are
taken for life.
Usually, the amount of immunosuppressants taken is reduced as the body gets used
to the new liver. Rarely, the body refuses to accept the new liver and another transplant
is needed.
Looking Ahead
Almost all kids who have liver transplants live normal, healthy lives after they
recover from surgery.
It's very important for you and your child to do everything possible to keep the
new liver healthy. Make sure that your child takes all medicines as directed, and
encourage him or her to get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and eat well.
Also, watch your child for signs of infection or rejection,
including:
- fever
- tiredness
- trouble breathing
- vomiting
- weight gain
- weight loss
- poor appetite
Call your doctor right away if these or any other problems
happen.
Your child will have regular checkups so doctors can watch for problems. At first,
these visits might happen weekly. You'll go less often over time. Eventually, checkups
might be needed only once or twice a year.
How Can I Help My Child?
Having a serious condition can be hard for kids. Surgery and immunosuppressant
therapy can add to the stress. Talk to your child about these changes and how you
will work them into your routine. Make sure to find time to do fun things together
with family and friends.
For teens, immunosuppressant therapy can be a challenge. These medicines can cause:
- more acne
- weight gain
- excess facial and body hair in women (called hirsutism)
These side effects are a major reason why teens are at risk for not taking their
medicines after a transplant. This can be dangerous and even lead to rejection of
the new liver. So be sure to talk about the importance of taking all medicines as
directed.
To help:
- Be there when your child wants to talk.
- If your child needs more support, make an appointment with a therapist
or counselor. A psychologist is part of the transplant team.
- Find a support group. They're a great way for kids and teens to relieve stress
and connect with others who are going through similar challenges. Online resources
include Transplant
Living.
- Get support for
yourself too. It can be a huge relief to talk about your feelings with other people
who know what you're going through. Ask the transplant care team if they know of support
groups for families.
Date reviewed: October 2018