Liver Transplant Treatments and Procedures

Liver transplantation is an accepted and successful therapy for patients suffering from severe liver disease. The number of liver transplants performed at Penn Medicine averages about 130 procedures a year. 

There are four major stages in the liver transplant process at Penn Medicine.

• Evaluation
• Preparing for transplant
• Transplant surgery
• After transplant care

After reviewing the medical records and tests results, the liver transplant team determines if a liver transplant evaluation is appropriate. Patients who are candidates for transplant are contacted to schedule an appointment.

The decision to proceed with a liver transplant represents a strong commitment to self-care and medical follow-up, so the ultimate decision rests with the patients. Only they can evaluate their quality of life and determine whether or not a liver transplant is worth pursuing.

Liver Waiting List

Those patients who decide to pursue a liver transplant are placed on the waiting list. Being "placed on the list" means their names and certain medical information are entered into the national database overseen by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

When a donor liver is identified, the patient is called in to the hospital. On average, liver transplant patients remain in the hospital 8 to 16 days after their surgery.

After leaving the hospital, patients are expected to return to the Penn Transplant Institute for ongoing therapy and medical care and are monitored for any signs of infection, rejection or medication side effects.