Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals Announces the Success of Cadaver Liver Transplant

Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, the pioneer of state-of-the-art healthcare options in Eastern India has announced the success of the cadaver liver transplant undertaken on 27 July, 2016. Shrimati Madhuri Saha, the 46 year old recipient of the liver, is healthy, and doing well.

Shrimati Saha’s troubles had started with complaints of recurrent abdominal pain and discomfort. A detailed investigation at the Institute of Gastrosciences, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, revealed a host of complications, including autoimmune hepatitis, decompensated cirrhosis, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and hypersplenism. The prognosis was not good, and she was advised to undergo a liver transplant at the earliest.

Samar Chakraborty, a 53 year old resident of the city, was brought to the hospital on 26 July, 2016, where he was declared ‘brain dead’ by a panel comprising of doctors from the hospital and the Department of Health, Government of West Bengal. His family agreed to multi-organ donation, and after the completion of the necessary formalities, his liver was harvested for transplantation to Shrimati Saha.

A team of surgeons from Kolkata and Chennai performed a gruelling 10 hour-long procedure that resulted in a successful transplantation. Given the highly complicated nature of the operation, and the risk of a rejection or infection, the patient was put under round-the-clock observation at the hospital’s world class facilities, and a team of specialists monitored her progress. After a recovery period of about a month, she was released from the hospital, making her the first successful recipient of a liver harvested from a cadaver in entire Eastern India.

Dr Mahesh Kumar Goenka, Director, Institute of Gastrosciences, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, who leads the liver transplant program at the hospital, said, “The Institute of Gastrosciences at the Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, is at the forefront of delivering treatment and care for all complaints and complications of the gastrointestinal tract. Undertaking the first successful cadaver liver transplant in the entire eastern region represents a significant milestone on our team’s long list of accomplishments, and will serve to inspire us on the road ahead. We will continue to upgrade and improve on our world-class services and facilities, and ensure the gift of good health for all.”

Dr Rupali Basu, President and CEO ER, Apollo Hospitals Group, India,observed, “This is indeed a very happy occasion for all members of the Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals family. Our team of gastroenterologists, surgeons and other specialists have done us proud by conducting the first successful cadaver liver transplant in this part of the country, an achievement that highlights our role in the healthcare space. I congratulate the entire team, and wish Shrimati Saha a long and healthy life ahead. I would also like to salute the socially significant decision taken by Shri Chakraborty’s family, who transcended social taboo and stigma to restore the gift of life to another human being. We need more such brave hearts for building a truly healthy and aware society.”