New era for liver transplant patients in the North East

Jan 28 2010 The Journal

“There is no doubt this is the right time to start doing the procedure. We have the techniques, the skills and a lot of research has been done which shows the liver grows once transplanted and both the patient and donor does well after surgery.” Living donor liver transplantation has been carried out in other countries for more than 15 years and in the UK the first transplant was carried out at St James’ Hospital in Leeds in 2007.

Now, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will work closely with St James’ Hospital to offer the procedure to patients.

Up to 60% of a donor’s liver — a section about five inches long — is transplanted into the recipient’s body and the patient’s old organ removed.

Derek Manas, professor of transplantation at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For a long time we have avoided live donation because we have been meeting the demand for organs.

“But within the last three years there has been a sharp reduction in the number of organ donors available.

“This is a big step forward and will save many lives. Often people die while waiting for an organ and this will help prevent this in many cases. It will reduce waiting lists and waiting times for liver transplants.”

NHS liver transplants usually rely on organs becoming available after a donor has died. Currently one in five liver transplant patients die while on the waiting list due to a severe shortage of donated organs.

Living donor liver transplantation may hold the key to saving many of these lives.

Last night, more than 100 people - some of whom suffered from liver complications themselves - attended a lecture at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital to learn more about the plans, which were met with widespread support.

Attending the lecture was Marjorie Batey, 71, a former nurse from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, who had a liver transplant 13 years ago after developing cirrhosis.

She said: “If it saves lives and allows more people to get treatment then of course it’s a good thing.”