Harvey's Blog

Approximately 60-70% of patients develop rejection at some time after a liver transplant. In the past decade, major improvements have occurred in the ability to control rejection. It is uncommon for patients to lose the new liver to rejection, provided they take their antirejection medications as prescribed.

Some of the signs of rejection are:

• fever above 38 degrees Centigrade
• swelling or tenderness over the new liver
• flu-like feelings
• clay-colored stools
• dark, tea-colored urine
• jaundice (yellow skin or eyes - late sign)

Rejection may occur at any time after the transplant, sometimes without any symptoms of illness. That is why it is extremely important for liver transplant recipients to not miss having their liver function blood tests. If the patient's liver tests become abnormal, he or she may need a liver biopsy, in which a small sample of the liver is obtained by a small needle. The elevation in the liver tests may be due to rejection or various infections, such as hepatitis.

Liver transplant recipients should call their transplant coordinator or go to their hospital immediately for treatment if they are experiencing rejection symptoms. The quicker treatment is received, the more successful it is likely to be.

source: www.theuniverstiyhospital.com