A female asked:
If other organs have failed from liver failing what is the point of getting the liver transplant? like say if the kidneys fail from the liver failing how will getting the new liver make the failed kidneys better and why wouldnt they need a kidney transpla
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. David Mulligananswered
General Surgery 36 years experience
Liver/Kidney failure: As the liver fails due to cirrhosis, the kidney function can deteriorate by a mechanism called hepatorenal syndrome. This is reversible in the early stages when the liver function is restored by liver transplantation. However, when the kidney function has been lost and a patient is on dialysis for an extended amount of time or if there are diseases like diabetes, then kid-transplant may be require.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Myron Schwartzanswered
Surgery - Transplant 46 years experience
Kidneys can recover.: When the liver fails it creates an environment in the body that can make it hard for other organs to function properly. The kidneys are a good example- in advanced liver failure the kidneys can completely stop functioning- this is called hepatorenal syndrome. There's nothing wrong with the kidneys though- their function will return after a successful transplant.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Steve Howeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 30 years experience
Matter of timing: Excellent point!! One organ system failure will often set up a desperate spiral of additional organ failures. The key is to intervene when other strained organ systems still have reserve and the capacity to recover. The more systems in COMPLETE failure the less hopeful of any recovery. But definitively treating a FAILED liver with transplant can save a FAILING kidney.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 10, 2016
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