Nearly 50% patients in need of early liver transplant died during Covid-19 pandemic
- Observation made by transplant team of Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Lakdikapul
- Fear of contracting coronavirus and associated delay killed more people
- 30 Liver Transplant surgeries performed since lockdown lifted in May
During the times of Covid-19 lockdown and in the subsequent months, a total of 48 patients were in need to undergo liver transplant on an early basis. 23 patients were under regular medical supervision, didn’t contract Covid-19 infection, and underwent successful liver transplantation, while seven patients with Covid-19 infection also successfully underwent liver transplant and survived. Thirteen patients delayed the go in for the procedure due to the fear contracting the deadly virus or for associated reasons, and have died because of the delay. The remaining five patients though prepared for liver transplant surgery but got infected with Covid-19 and died in the pre-transplant phase! The main reason for these deaths being delay in transplant surgery rather than Covid-19 infection itself.
Commenting on the need for transplant in emergency, Dr. Raghavendra Babu, Clinical Head & Senior Consultant Liver Transplant Surgeon, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Lakdikapul said, “When the condition of liver worsens, transplant is the only option before a patient, and any delay in undergoing transplant could be fatal. These patients and their family members delayed the procedure due to the fear of contracting coronavirus or other related reasons, and this delay proved costly for the victims who did not survive. It is important people do not delay transplant when the liver condition worsens.”
“Between June and December last year, we have performed 30 liver transplant procedures at Gleneagles Global Hospitals Lakdikapul with 100% success rate. Among these, seven recipients and three live donors were Covid-19 positive; and in two instances, both donors and recipients were found positive for coronavirus. Hence, it is important for people to note that liver transplant can be performed on patients who are cured of the Covid-19 virus,” added Dr. Raghavendra Babu.
Clinical features of Covid-19 patients are highly diverse from pulmonary symptoms to neurological manifestations. Coronavirus positive patients admitted to hospitals have increased liver enzymes as a common problem, yet it can be rectified. For post liver transplant patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms are recommended to continue with immunosuppression medication. Considering these aspects patients must not delay from undergoing liver transplant surgery in case doctors recommend it to be performed immediately.
