BGS Global Hospitals Performs 100 Liver Transplants

A First in Karnataka

May, 12th, 2015, Bangalore: BGS Global Hospitals – Super Specialty Quaternary Care,

organized a press meet today on performing 100 Liver Transplants, by the Global Integrated

Liver Care Team, A First in Karnataka.

There are a number of factors that have led to the establishment of a robust liver transplant

program in BGS Global Hospital. The foremost was the formation of a team comprising of

highly skilled liver transplant surgeons, hepatologists, specialized anaesthetists and intensive

care experts. Dedicated and specially trained nurses form an important part of the team. Equally

important are physiotherapists, nutritionists, and counsellors. Notably, BGS Global Hospital is

the only hospital in Karnataka with a special dedicated liver ICU where all forms of advanced

liver diseases can be managed in a state of the art manner.

Dr Kaiser Raja, Consultant, Hepatologist, BGS Global Hospitals, said, “Global Integrated

Liver Care (ILC) Team has also done a lot to promote awareness of liver disease, and liver

transplantation in the community as well as the physicians in the state. This includes systematic

studies to assess the prevalence of chronic liver disease through the Bangalore Hepatitis project,

which is a first of a kind community based assessment of Hepatitis B and C prevalence in the

city. More than 100 outreach programs such as seminars and continuing medical education

programs have been conducted by the team in almost each district of the state involving medical

colleges, large hospitals and physician associations across the state. The team has also

established a training program for transplantation nursing to develop human skills in managing

these complex patients, and have trained nurses for the private and government sector alike. This

is the first dedicated transplant-nursing program in the whole country.”

Dr Mathew Jacob, Consultant, Multi Organ Transplant Surgeon, BGS Global Hospitals,

said, “One of the most encouraging things for the development of organ transplantation has been

the increasing acceptance of organ donation after brain death. In Karnataka, the organ donation

rates have increased over the last four years, but more than 200 patients are on the active waiting

list for liver transplant in our State. The real success of transplant programs will be possible only

if we as a society pledge to donate our organs after death.”

Dr Rajiv Lochan, Consultant, Multi Organ Transplant Surgeon, BGS Global Hospitals,

said,“While organ transplant from deceased donors were increasing, there was still a great need

for organs. Living donation from close family members to save the life of a loved one still

accounts for a majority of transplants performed in India. Several innovative surgical and

medical techniques which have been developed for the Indian scenario, including the

development of ‘bloodless’ liver transplants, and the use of split organ and dual organ transplants

to optimally utilize organs for the best outcomes. A split organ transplant is one in which a

donated liver is split into two halves and used to transplant into two different patients. A dual

transplant is usually a combined liver and kidney transplant done in the same patient.”

Dr Sonal Asthana, Consultant, Multi Organ Transplant Surgeon, BGS Global Hospitals,

discussed the results, "Among the 100 transplants, 64 transplants were from deceased brain dead

donors while 36 were from related living donors. While the majority of transplants were for

adults, 7% were done for children suffering from liver failure. The Global Integrated Liver care

program has the distinction of performing three dual organ transplants. Our overall survival rate

is 92%, which is at par with the best in the world. The team has conducted a study on the ‘Health

related Quality of Life of a patient after Liver transplantation’, which has been presented at a

National meeting. This study revealed several limitations due to emotional problems,

Energy/Fatigue, Social functioning and General health before transplant. However, significant

improvements in the quality of life of a transplanted patient were observed within 2 months post

transplantation, which progressively improved as time progressed. Participants described living

productive and meaningful lives and many reported a more positive outlook on life since

transplantation."

Mr Ganesh Kamath, Liver Transplant Survivor, who had received a liver transplant one

years ago, said, “I’m eternally grateful to the families of all the organ donors who have made this

emotional decision at the deathbed of a loved one to donate their organs, which have benefitted

me, and other patients suffering from terminal liver failure.”

Dr Venkatramanaa N K, Vice Chairman& Chief Neurosurgeon, BGS Global Hospitals,

said, “At BGS Global Hospitals, we have established an advanced transplant program and have

largely contributed to the concept of cadaveric organ donations and creating mass awareness in

Karnataka. It is a big team work and with the help of multiple agencies, organized Green

Corridors, eventually creating life after death”

About BGS Global Hospitals:

BGS Global Hospitals - Super Specialty Quaternary Care, a unit of Global Hospitals Group,

offers comprehensive integrated medical services for all sub specialties and super specialties

with the best teams of clinical talent across disciplines trained in foremost institutions from

across the world. With integrated patient care and accessibility to advanced technology,

expertise, we are delivering exceptional clinical excellence & outcomes. We restore hope of

more than 1,50,000 patients who visit our hospital annually. Today we are one of the premier

health care providers in the country and with our committed vision; we continue to improve with

ground breaking approaches to care and treatment of our patients.