Liver Transplant Surgery

The operation consists of:

1) The removal of your diseased liver
2) The sewing in of your new liver

Your new liver is sewn into place in 5 areas. These reconnectd areas are referred to as “anastomoses”.

Four of the areas are blood vessels:

- suprahepatic vena cava (above liver)
- infrahepatic vena cava (below liver)
- portal vein
- hepatic artery

The fifth area is: - the common bile duct

When the surgery is completed, you will be taken to the Surgical ICU. There will be a large incision on your abdomen held together with staples, and an incision in your left groin and axilla. There will be 3 drains that help to remove fluids from around your liver called Jackson-Pratts (J.P.’s).

A bile tube or T-tube will also be placed in your abdomen attached to a collection bag. It lies in the common bile duct and is important for two reasons:

- drains bile
- permits x-rays of the bile ducts

This tube will stay in place approximately 8 – 12 weeks.