Amidst the vibrant city of Jaipur, a groundbreaking medical feat has unfolded as a cadre of medical experts from Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital orchestrated the inaugural dual lobe liver transplant in Rajasthan. Astonishingly, this intricate procedure involved the simultaneous transplantation of two distinct livers into a single individual.
This historic milestone marks the first-ever instance of a dual liver transplant in a patient surpassing the weight threshold of 125 kg within the country. A formidable team of over 30 transplant specialists dedicated a marathon 16-hour surgical endeavor to achieve this remarkable triumph.
Dr. Namish N Mehta, a luminary in liver transplantation at the esteemed college and hospital, elucidated that the patient, 50-year-old Inderpal, weighing 126 kg, exhibited a plethora of symptoms such as jaundice, ascites, edema, and anemia. His daily life was marred by difficulties in ingestion and hydration.
Faced with this challenging scenario, a liver transplant emerged as the sole recourse. Securing a liver commensurate with the patient’s substantial weight presented a formidable obstacle. The ingenious solution involved transplanting livers from two distinct donors. Notably, 520 grams of liver tissue originated from the patient’s wife, while an additional 220 grams were contributed by the patient’s sister-in-law. The surgical process necessitated the infusion of approximately 15 units of blood into the patient, culminating in a complete restoration of health.
Conventionally, the recipient’s right and left organs from the donors are affixed to the corresponding sides of the patient’s liver. Precision and meticulous care were imperative as the minuscule portal artery, portal vein, bile duct, and four blood vessels facilitating liver blood circulation required intricate connection. Undertaking such a complex liver replacement in an individual of considerable weight posed a formidable challenge, compounded by the sheer size of the liver.
Remarkably, the right portion of the 520-gram liver from the wife proved insufficient, prompting the incorporation of an additional liver segment from the patient’s sister-in-law. The surgical procedure involved the removal of the patient’s damaged liver, followed by the simultaneous transplantation of the liver segments from both donors. The donors, subjected to major surgery, recuperated within a week, while the patient, after receiving fifteen units of blood and intensive care for 20 days, was discharged in robust health.
Dr. Vikas Chandra Swarnakar, Chairman of the University, commended Dr. Namish Mehta, who has successfully executed over 1500 liver transplants. The pivotal roles of surgeons Dr. Anand Nagar, Dr. Vinay Mahala, liver disease specialist Dr. Karan Kumar, Dr. VA Saraswat, transplant anesthetist Dr. Ganesh Nimjhe, Dr. Anand Jain, and Dr. Gaurav Goyal were also instrumental. The integration of modular operation theaters and a dedicated infection-free intensive care unit contributed significantly to the triumph of this life-saving endeavor. Notably, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College has successfully accomplished 93 liver transplants to date.