First to complete 250 liver transplants in Karnataka
· First to perform adult swap liver transplant in Karnataka
· First to perform Multi-Organ (Kidney + Liver) transplant in Karnataka
·First to perform SWAP transplant in Karnataka during the COVID-19 pandemic
·Gleneagles Global Hospitals network is the pioneer in organ transplantation in India.
Bangalore, June 16, 2022: BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital is one of Karnataka’s leading multi-organ transplant centres. It has the largest integrated liver care program in Karnataka with a strong legacy of 12+ years. It has reached yet another milestone by crossing the 250+ transplant mark becoming the first hospital in Karnataka to complete 250 liver transplants. The hospital is well-known for its vigorous transplant programme and is Karnataka’s pioneer in more complex transplants such as combined liver-kidney, split liver and adult swap liver transplants. Despite COVID induced challenges, the hospital carried out 13 liver transplants in 2021. The team of liver transplant surgeons have transplanted 120 livers from deceased donors and 119 from living donors, as well 11 kidney-liver combinations. Even though it treats some of the most critical patients, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital’s liver transplant outcomes are among the state’s best, with a one-year survival greater than 90 percent and a five-year survival greater than 85 percent.
“The achievement is more than just a number — it represents the lives of patients touched by the generosity of organ donors and is also a reminder of the countless others on the waitlist who struggle with liver disease and are waiting patiently and desperately for precious, life-saving organs.” said Dr Mahesh Gopasetty, HOD & Senior Consultant – HPB and Transplant Surgery, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital
One important way of increasing the number of available organs has been living-donor transplantation, a technique that enables the patient to obtain a transplant right away, skipping the waitlist. “A living donor can be an immediate family member or extended family” explains Dr Mahesh. “In the procedure, a portion of the donor’s liver is removed and implanted in the recipient. Both segments (the remaining section of the donor’s liver, and the portion received by the patient) will regenerate and grow to fit the needs of each individual.”
At present, 70-80% of livers obtained for transplantation in South India are a result of cadaver donations. A very small percentage is from living donors. The doctors anticipate that this imbalance will correct itself in the future as awareness increases about the fact that live donors need not fear any risk to life or longevity by deciding to donate.
Last year, a child with Wilson’s disease was brought to the hospital with liver failure. Wilson’s disease is a rare inherited disorder that causes copper to accumulate in your liver, brain and other vital organs. As liver cells try to make repairs to damage done by excess copper, scar tissue forms in the liver, making it more difficult for the liver to function. The child was transplanted with a liver donated by her mother. In this case, the expense of the surgery was met through a combined sourcing strategy. Apart from crowd funding, the hospital chose to award a discount and only the remaining amount had to be arranged by the family.
Dr Adarsh CK, Chief Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, “The liver program at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital uses the most advanced technology to treat all types of acute and chronic liver conditions, including treatment for hepatitis B & C, fatty liver disease, alcoholic cirrhosis, liver tumours and management of metabolic, autoimmune, and hereditary liver diseases.”
Another medically challenging case that the transplant team recently treated is of a young woman who was suffering from port pulmonary hypertension, a heart condition that is sometimes associated with liver cirrhosis. The patient had very high pulmonary artery pressure, which meant an increased risk of cardiac arrest during surgery. This condition also causes the body to hold onto excess fluid. Therefore, the patient was admitted two weeks prior to the transplant and treated aggressively to manage its severity before going into the surgery. Nearly 20 litres of fluid were removed from her body during this time. Her husband donated his liver, the surgery was successful and now she no longer suffers from port pulmonary hypertension either. This transplant was made possible by first treating other related conditions which had severe consequences to her health.
“This major milestone is the result of the tireless dedication of everyone on our liver transplant team — including hepatologists, surgeons, diagnostic and pathology experts, advanced-practice nurses, and others,” says Biju Nair, COO, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital “Together we have come a long way in the last 12 years, pursuing innovations to increase access to transplantation and improve quality of life for patients with end-stage liver disease.”
The team of experts who made this achievement possible includes Dr Mahesh Gopasetty (HOD & Senior Consultant – HPB and Transplant Surgery), Dr A M Kutappa (HOD and Senior Consultant, Anaesthesia and Critical Care), Dr Adarsh CK (Chief Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist), Dr Pradeep Krishna (Consultant – HPB and Transplant Surgery), Dr Pramod (Consultant Hepatologist & Liver Transplant Physician), Dr Ravindra Nidoni (Consultant – HPB and Transplant Surgery), Dr Bhuvan Shetty (Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist), doctors of the Anaesthesia and Critical Care team consisting of Dr Ashish, Dr Arun, Dr Vijay, Dr Mahesh, and Dr Uma, supported by a dedicated team of transplant nurses, coordinators and other supporting staff members. The hospital also has strong Laboratory team and Blood Bank equipped with facilities that are at par with international standards and helps in making transplant program successful.
The COVID-19 pandemic strongly affected organ procurement and transplantation in Karnataka. Non-availability of donors and travel restrictions further affected those who were immune compromised and awaiting scheduled liver transplants. Many patients unfortunately succumbed under these circumstances. Being home bound, many people took to alcohol and binge eating which has also caused an increase in liver related health issues in the Bangalore population.
