Pune, 11th August 2023: Liver transplantation has always been a beacon of hope for patients grappling with end-stage liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Traditionally, ABO compatibility – matching the blood types of the donor and recipient – has been a pivotal factor in the success of such transplants.
Breaking new ground in the medical landscape, a remarkable feat has been achieved by the team led by Dr. Bipin Vibhute, Head of Liver and Multi-organ Transplant Department at Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune. The medical community is abuzz with the news of the first-ever ABO-incompatible liver transplant performed in a patient.
The case involved a 52-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from Solapur, Maharashtra, who was diagnosed with HCV infection, cirrhosis, and HCC (a form of Liver Cancer). His condition necessitated a liver transplant. However, finding a suitable donor who matched his blood type proved to be a challenge. In a courageous move, the patient’s 25-year-old daughter, despite having an incompatible blood type (A) with her father (O), volunteered to be the living donor.
The ABO-incompatible liver transplant was executed after meticulous preoperative preparations and seamless coordination among the multidisciplinary medical team. Overcoming the immune response triggered by the mismatched blood types and preventing the rejection of the transplanted liver were the primary hurdles. The medical team developed an extensive pre-transplant immunosuppressive protocol, involving injections to reduce antibody-forming cells, plasmapheresis sessions to eliminate anti-A antibodies, and a combination of immunosuppressive drugs.
Post-surgery monitoring exhibited impressive liver function. In the post-transplant phase, a regimen of immunosuppressive drugs was administered to prevent organ rejection, yielding successful results. The ABO-incompatible liver transplant stands as a resounding success, with the patient displaying excellent liver function during the postoperative monitoring.
Dr. Bipin Vibhute, who played a pivotal role in this groundbreaking liver transplant, expressed his contentment with the outcome, stating, “This remarkable achievement highlights the potential to expand the donor pool, offering hope to countless patients grappling with limited donor options. The success of the ABO-incompatible liver transplant underscores the significance of continuous research and innovation in transplantation medicine. Novel techniques and immunosuppressive strategies can revolutionize the field, ultimately benefiting patients in dire need of life-saving organ transplants.”
Sahyadri Hospital remains steadfast in its commitment to researching innovative techniques and immunosuppressive strategies that hold the promise to transform transplantation medicine, bringing profound benefits to patients urgently requiring life-saving organ transplants. This achievement marks a momentous milestone, illuminating a promising path forward for patients contending with end-stage liver disease and HCC. It signifies the emergence of more accessible and life-saving liver transplant procedures.
