Liver Transplant - House of Transplant & Cancer

The Transplant Process

In order to undergo liver transplantation, a number of steps and procedures must be followed to ensure a successful transplant process. These steps include:

Patients are usually referred to us by their hepatologist or oncologist. We do accept self-referrals! Patients are encouraged to seek transplant evaluation as soon as diagnosed with moderate hepatic insufficiency. This is to establish records, perform the appropriate workup, and proceed with transplant listing.

The Work up Process

After successfully completing your initial pre-transplant evaluation, your transplant coordinator will begin scheduling appointments for testing and procedures needed prior to transplant. Some of these tests or procedures will need to be updated annually. Your transplant coordinator will notify you when a test or procedure needs to be updated. It is important to keep up with your tests and procedures so that you can be transplanted when you get the call.

Required Testing

Simple blood tests including blood typing
EKG
Chest x-ray
Dental exam
Abdominal Ultrasound
Coronary Angiogram (for all patients over 45, diabetic, or risk factors/history of heart disease)
Cardiology consult (if you have risk factors, are diabetic or over age 45)
Colonoscopy (for all patients over the age of 50)
Mammogram and Pap smear for all women over the age of 40
Recent Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for all men over the age of 40

All patients will be presented at the Patient Selection Committee Meeting (PSC) after they have completed all their testing and have been seen by the multidisciplinary transplant team.

The purpose of the PSC is to review the results of testing, discuss visits with the multidisciplinary team, and to determine if they qualify for placement on the transplant wait list.

The results of the PSC discussion will be conveyed to the patient and referring physician within 10 days.

If you are approved and cleared by the multidisciplinary team in PSC, you will be added to the National Waiting List for pancreas transplant. You will be placed on the waiting list based on your blood type and antibody test.

The national organ waiting list is managed by an organization called the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a private, nonprofit agency that works with the federal government. UNOS keeps track of all the people in the United States who need pancreas transplants, and matches them with donors.

If you are not approved for listing at the time of PSC, your transplant coordinator will explain any additional testing or requirements to get you listed for transplant. On some occasions, you may not qualify for transplant. Your coordinator will explain in detail as well as send a letter to your primary doctor explaining the reasons you cannot be transplanted at this time.

Organ Offers

When a suitable donor is found, the surgeon and coordinator will first review donor history and testing results. If the offer is suitable for you, the surgeon will give the OK to admit you for your transplant. In some cases, the surgeon or transplant coordinator may call and discuss the organ offer with you.

Getting the Call

Once you have received a call from the coordinator and you have accepted the organ offer, you will then be instructed to arrive at St Vincent as soon as possible. Please drive to St Vincent with as many important members of your family as necessary.

Your coordinator will ask you the following questions:

What time did you last eat or drink anything?
When was your last dialysis session?
Have you had any recent admissions to the hospital or new health problems?
Have there been any changes to your life situation (ie, support, financial, or emotional states that may impact your post-transplant care

Once these questions have been answered, you coordinator will instruct you not to eat or drink anything and come to the hospital. If you are diabetic, please inform the coordinators so that instruction about medication dosing can be given. You should bring all current medications and a bag with a set of clothes and other essentials for hospital admission.

Arrival to the Hospital

We strive to proceed with transplant ASAP, however we realize there may be need for further evaluation and or need for . You will be directed to Admissions and then the floor for nursing assessment, have some additional testing done including blood work, EKG, and chest xray, and any other testing that needs to be updated since your last clinic visit. You may require dialysis prior to your transplant. The transplant surgeon will order dialysis if needed.

On arrival to the hospital, you will be greeted by your surgeon. He will prefer to speak to you and your family members about the details of the process, including risks and benefits.

The Transplant Operation

The process of anesthesia, prior to the actual surgery starting, can take 1-2 hrs. The anesthesia portion involves sedation, paralysis, intubation (insertion of a breathing tube), IV lines (arterial, central venous, cardiac monitoring), and occasionally transesophageal echocardiography.

In addition, prior to surgery a catheter will be placed into your bladder to drain urine and tube in our stomach via your nose (nasogastric tube). These catheters are generally removed on post op day 3-4. On rare occasion depending on your condition – the catheters may stay longer.

In some instances, surgery starts by proceeding with incisions made in your upper chest and grown for placing large IV lines to allow for blood “bypass”. Once this is completed an incision on your abdomen.

Your old liver is removed and your new one is replaced.

The two veins, one artery, and bile duct of the new liver all require surgical reconstruction. These are major blood vessels in the body and extreme care is taken during the re-sewing of these vessels.

Surgery time varies from 6 hours to as long as 14 hours. More or less time does not mean better or worse results. Every patient is different and unique in their own way that can affect surgery time.

On rare occasions there is a planned scenario to bring the patient back to the operating room during the course of the next 1-3 days. This is often not related to complications but more so related to anticipated staging steps of the operation for certain people. You are then awakened and transported to the recovery room or directly to the intensive care unit (ICU). While in the ICU your blood pressure, heart rate and lung oxygen exchange will be closely monitored. The ICU is a busy location with critical patients and thus family visits and intervals are limited. Once your doctors consider your condition stable they will then transfer you to the transplant floor outside the ICU.

After successfully receiving a transplant, our job is not done. A transplanted organ requires periodic maintenance and follow-up care to make sure both the organ and the patient continue to thrive!

Hospital Recovery

Once surgery is complete, you are then awakened and transported to the recovery room or directly to the , which is located on the 4th floor.

Your surgeon will have spoken to your family and they should be able to visit you within 1-2 hours of arriving at the ICU, Once your doctors consider your condition stable they will then transfer you to the 5th or 7th floor.

In general by now you will be free from most IV lines and allowed to eat and ambulate. During surgery a catheter will be placed into your bladder to drain urine. This catheter is removed on post op day 3-4. On rare occasion depending on your condition- the catheter may stay longer or you may even be sent home with a catheter to have a voiding trial later at the clinic.

By post-op day 4-5 you are ready for discharge. Instructions include:

Possible complications following kidney/pancreas transplant include:

Clot in the pancreas or kidney: Usually noted within the first 24-48 hours post-op, and can present with sudden abdominal pain and an acute rise in your blood sugars. The treatment for this condition is unfortunately removal of the pancreas or kidney, and we are not able to salvage an organ under these circumstances. You may in the future qualify for a second transplant.
A break in the suture line of the bowel or bladder: This suture line break down leads to leakage of stool in the case of bowel drainage or urine and pancreatic juice. Both complications require urgent repair, which may or may not be successful, and may lead to multiple surgeries and/or eventual pancreas removal.
Delayed Graft function: Sometimes the transplanted kidney may not function immediately, and occurs in approximately 30-50 percent of deceased donor kidneys and less than 10% of live related or non-related kidneys. During this delay, the kidney is either making little urine or no urine at all, and you may need dialysis. Sometimes you may be discharged home on dialysis as we monitor improvement in your kidney function over time.
Post-op pain
Post-op bleeding requiring blood transfusion
Infections that may include large abscesses which require wash out procedures and placement of drains.
Urine leakage from the bladder suture line, for which you will be taken back to surgery for an attempt at correction.
Hernia formation requiring surgical intervention.

We advise all patients interested in pancreas transplant there may be up to 30% chance of a second surgical procedure to repair or possibly remove the kidney and/or pancreas. The rate of pancreas clot nationally is 1-5% and we are proud to have better than expected pancreas results at St. Vincent.

Discharge from Hospital

Going Home from Transplant

During your admission to the hospital for pancreas transplant, the transplant coordinator will meet with you and your designated caregivers to discuss and educate you about how to take care of your new organ. A log book and manual will be given during your first teaching session.

You will be taught to monitor for:

Medications

A transplant Pharmacist will review all of your new life-long medications to prevent rejection. All other medications you are taking will also be reviewed with you before discharge.

24-Hour Nursing Care

A nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week including weekends and holidays. They can be reached at (213) 484-5551. The nurse can answer any questions you have related to transplant and call your doctors with any urgent needs.

The first 90 days

After leaving the hospital, you will follow up in the transplant clinic closely, as frequently as daily until you are stabilized. Labs are done every clinic visit in the morning before you take your medications. The transplant team will monitor your lab results, urinary output, vital signs, and incision closely to assure no complications arise.

What to bring to your clinic visit

At the end of your clinic visit, your transplant coordinator will review any medication changes and provide a new medication list, prescriptions and lab orders for the next visit. It may be necessary to call you at home with lab results. Keep your medication list with you and be prepared to write down any changes to your medications.

The First 5 years

Once you are more stable, you will be seen less frequently in the transplant clinic. You will need to follow up with your primary doctor 90 days after transplant and regularly after that. Your primary doctor will manage any related health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and your regular annual health exam and cancer screenings. You will also need to follow up with any specialist physicians regularly such as Endocrinology and Cardiology.

What to bring to clinic

A needle biopsy may be needed to find the reasons for ongoing problems with the pancreas transplant. Possible treatments for chronic rejection include different types of immunosuppression, steroids, or other medications.

Understanding Your Pancreas

Your pancreas is located in your upper abdomen, behind your stomach and on top of your spine. It is divided into 3 parts: the head, which is located next to the small intestine, the body, and the tail, which is close to your spleen.

The pancreas has 2 main functions :

Problems With Your Liver

The liver has an amazing ability to regenerate when damaged. However, there are certain conditions which permanently effect the liver and require medical intervention. Some of these include:

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects the liver. The first sign of hepatitis may be flu-like symptoms or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). In some cases no symptoms might be noted.

About Pancreatitis
Diagnosis of Pancreatitis
Treatment of Pancreatitis

Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects the liver. There are different types, but the two most common are and . The virus is spread through contact or contamination of blood.

If the disease has been left untreated for many years, hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis, cancer, or end-stage liver disease requiring liver transplant.

How is pancreatitis diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, your doctor may order blood tests or scans of your abdomen. Sometimes you may also need a procedure.

Blood tests

Imaging

Procedures

How is pancreatitis treated?

Hospital Admission

Some patients with pancreatitis have to be admitted to the hospital. You will receive intravenous fluids and pain medications until your pain has gone away.

Some patients have more severe episodes of pancreatitis and might spend some time in the intensive care unit. Sometimes the treatment involves not eating which may require a feeding tube through your nose into your intestines until you get better.

Surgery for Pancreatitis

If you have gallstones, your gallbladder will be removed with an operation called a after you have recovered from pancreatitis.

If your pancreas has been severely damaged, you can develop a pocket of fluid or infection which may require an or a to drain it.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver occurs when the liver begins to store fat at levels that are not normal. This usually occurs when a patient is at least 20 pounds overweight.

About Fatty Liver Disease/NASH
Diagnosis of Fatty Liver Disease/NASH
Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease/NASH

Fatty liver occurs when the liver begins to store fat at levels that are not normal. This usually occurs when a patient is at least 20 pounds overweight. In some individuals, the liver becomes fatty but no damage is done, this is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. In other people, the fat in the liver causes damage, and this is known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is the form of fatty liver that is very dangerous to your health.

NASH occurs when there is inflammation of the liver because of fat. This often occurs in people who are overweight, pre-diabetics/diabetics, those who have high cholesterol, or people who take certain medicines. Because of the damage being done to the liver, the “enzymes” become elevated, which is another way of saying your liver cells are dying faster than expected. As your liver cells die, they are replaced with scar tissue (fibrosis).

Fatty liver may not cause any symptoms in some people, others may complain of pain on their right side where the liver is. The liver actually does not have nerves to sense pain, but it has a capsule or skin around it that does have nerves. As the capsule stretches because of the fat, patients may experience a constant dull pain. If a patient’s weight increases 10% above the ideal amount, then probably fatty liver is present.

Blood Tests

If fat is harming the patient would be to check a blood test, specifically measuring liver enzymes. If the AST and ALT are high, this may be a sign that the patient has NASH.

Imaging

Fatty liver disease can be diagnosed by a ultrasound, MRI, CT or fibroscan, which can also tell your doctor if there is serious scar tissue present.

Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy can tell us what stage you are at and confirm the diagnosis of NASH.

Currently, the best treatment for fatty liver is diet and exercise, along with good control of other medical condition like diabetes and high cholesterol. Losing just 20 pounds brings most patients back to health. Vitamin E may help but increases risk of heart disease and prostate cancer, so we don’t recommend it.

What is the best diet for me?

Please avoid animal fat and refined sugars. Red meat, fried food and sweets are especially harmful. This may be because of a genetic difference between you and other people.
Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, olive oil and lean meats like salmon is a good option, this diet is commonly known as the Mediterranean diet.
A registered dietician is the best person to go through this with you. We will help you find one.

What can I eat?

Breakfast

Fruits: Papaya, berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries), peaches, apricots, apples, pears, kiwi and melons.
Non-fat yogurt is the only dairy you are permitted to eat.
High fiber cereals.
No bacon or ham.
Don’t use butter.
No milk, eggs, or cheese. If you plan on eating eggs, only eat egg whites.
Vitamin D and calcium pills can replace your dairy intake.
Lots of water. Coffee is good.

Lunch

Soup is best. Should be a clear broth with vegetables.
Chicken is “OK”.
No excessive pasta. Small amounts may be ok.
Avoid canned food since it often has a lot of salt.
Salads should never contain anything white. No cream or cheese.
Avoid sodas.
Drink water or green tea.

Dinner

Vegetables and fish. Fish should not be bigger than your palm and salmon is preferred.
No bread/tortillas, no rice, no potatoes.
Absolutely no RED meat. No pork.
Fish or organic chicken that has not been fried is acceptable.
No sugary desert. Artificially sweetened or fruit may be the best replacement.

What can’t I eat?

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis occurs when the liver becomes “scarred,” oftentimes due to chronic alcohol use or infection with hepatitis virus.

About Cirrhosis
Treatment of Cirrhosis
Treatment of Pancreatitis

Cirrhosis is inflammation and scarring of the liver. It can be a consequence of fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or heavy alcohol abuse. Both women and men who drink too much can have this condition. Some information suggests that genetics and problems with alcohol metabolism can make this condition worse. Cirrhosis can also occur at any age, but usually takes many years to develop.

Cirrhosis can be diagnosed by clinical exam. Patients with cirrhosis oftentimes can develop:

Cirrhosis can also be diagnosed by:

Blood Tests

Patients will have low albumin and high bilirubin levels, both of which are markers of liver function. Additionally, as the liver becomes more scarred blood is shunted to spleen and platelets get trapped there, which causes patients to have very low platelet counts.

Imaging

Cirrhosis can be diagnosed by a ultrasound, MRI, CT or fibroscan, which can also tell your doctor if there is serious scar tissue present.

Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy can tell us what stage of cirrhosis you are at.

Unfortunately there is no cure for cirrhosis. However, the ability to slow down the disease from getting worse is critical. Liver doctors are known as hepatologist, and they are usually the medical specialist best suited to handle complex cases of the liver.

In cases where cirrhosis progressed to end-stage liver disease, patients may need a liver transplant evaluation, which can be curative.

Liver Cysts

Liver cysts are usually benign, but can sometimes lead to problems which require treatment.

About Liver Cysts
Diagnosis of Liver Cysts
Treatment of Liver Cysts

What are liver cysts?

Cysts in the liver can be single or multiple. They usually contain fluid which is either consistent with serum or bile. Sometimes they can contain infectious materials.

What are the signs and symptoms of liver cysts?

The symptoms of liver cysts can be variable, but oftentimes include nausea, vomiting, pain, or jaundice. Some patients may not have any symptoms.

Liver Cysts

How are liver cysts diagnosed?

Cysts of the liver are best diagnosed by an imaging procedure. Common tests include:

CT SCAN

Sometimes referred to as a “cat” scan, CT imaging uses x-rays to create very detailed black and white images of your insides. Oftentimes it is necessary to inject contrast dye into your veins during a CT scan to better visualize tumors.

ULTRASOUND

Using sound waves, ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless way to detect liver tumors. The procedure is typically performed by an ultrasound technician after application of ultrasound “gel” on your skin.

MRI

after being placed in a tube, a magnetic field is applied which can then be used to visualize your liver. Oftentimes it is necessary to inject contrast dye into your veins during a MRI to better visualize tumors. If you are claustrophobic or have metal implants, pacemakers, or shrapnel, please alert your care team prior to undergoing an MRI.

How are liver cysts treated?

Once a liver cyst is diagnosed, the next step involves a treatment plan depending on a number of factors, including symptom, concern for malignancy, or infectious risk. The vast majority of cysts do not require any treatment, but sometimes may be treated with:

Observation

If cysts are thought to be benign on imaging or atypical for a simple cyst, sometimes your doctor may want to recommend close follow-up with repeat imaging or laboratory tests to make sure the cyst doesn’t grow or warrant treatment.

Surgery

The goal of liver is to either remove the cyst completely or “unroof” the cyst to allow it to drain freely into your abdomen. Surgery can be performed using an abdominal surgical incision (“open surgery”), laparoscopic “keyhole” surgery, or with the assistance of a robot.

Antibiotics

If the cyst is suspected to be infectious, oftentimes antibiotics are started for control. If the infection resolves and the cyst becomes smaller, no further treatment is required. However, if the infection persists then sometimes percutaneous drainage or surgical drainage is performed.

Drainage

Typically for infectious cysts that are not responding to antibiotics, patients undergo placement of a small drainage catheter through the skin to drain the cyst. The catheter is then removed after the cyst resolves. Percutaneous drainage is not performed for simple cysts because once the catheter is removed, the simple cyst usually reaccumulates!

Liver Tumors

Tumors in the liver can start in the liver or spread to the liver from other sites (“metastases”).

Diagnosis of Liver Tumors
Diagnosis of Liver Tumors
Treatment of Liver Tumors

Tumors in the liver can either start in the liver (“primary”) or spread there from cancers that start in other parts of the body (“metastatic”). The symptoms of liver tumors can be variable, but oftentimes include weight loss, fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), itching, or pain. Some patients may not have any symptoms.

Primary Tumors

Metastatic Tumors

How are liver tumors diagnosed?

Tumors of the liver are best diagnosed by an imaging procedure and confirmed with a biopsy once detected. Common tests include:

CT SCAN

ULTRASOUND

MRI

PET Scan

Because tumors are typically metabolically active, a special type of sugar is injected into your veins a few hours prior to the scan. Those areas of your body which use a lot of sugar (like tumors) will light up on the scan. It is important to not eat or drink anything before the scan for most accurate results.

Biopsy

After a tumor is identified, frequently a biopsy must be performed to confirm the presence of a cancer. A biopsy is a procedure where a needle is passed through your skin and a small piece of the tumor is removed for analysis. Biopsies usually require the assistance of ultrasound or CT scan to precisely guide the needle into the tumor. The majority of biopsies are outpatient procedures and patients can go home the same day!

How are liver tumors treated?

Once a liver tumor is diagnosed, the next step involves a treatment plan after discussion of your case in a . Safe and effective treatment of liver tumors depends on the type of tumor, its location, your general liver health, and other underlying medical problems you may have.

Observation

If tumors are thought to be benign on imaging or atypical for cancer, sometimes your doctor may want to recommend close follow-up with repeat imaging or laboratory tests to make sure the tumor doesn’t grow or warrant treatment.

Surgery

The goal of liver is to either remove the tumor completely. Surgery can be performed using an abdominal surgical incision (“open surgery”), laparoscopic “keyhole” surgery, or with the assistance of a robot.

Transplant

Depending on the type of tumor you have and size, sometimes liver transplant is the best option for long-term cure.

Ablation

is a procedure which can be performed through your skin (percutaneously) or surgically via laparoscopic (“keyhole”) or open surgery. The goal of ablation is to destroy tumors with energy.

Embolization

Most tumors have a dominant blood vessel which feeds it with nutrients. The goal of embolization is to block that vessel and prevent the tumor from receiving nutrients and oxygen. Sometimes at the same time, chemicals like chemotherapy or radiation are directed to the tumor as well to help destroy it. Access to the blood vessel is usually gained through an artery in your groin or leg.

Chemotherapy

For tumors that are advanced beyond the point of surgery, ablation, or embolization, sometimes chemotherapy is best option. Chemotherapy can be delivered through a pill form or intravenously depending on the tumor type. For some patients, chemotherapy may be offered before or after surgery, ablation or embolization to help control the tumor.

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What is HCC?

When a cancer starts in the liver, it is most commonly a type of cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, this is the 3rd most frequent cause of cancer in the United States. Liver cancer is a highly treatable form of cancer and can be controlled with different types of procedures performed by interventional radiologist and special medicines. In some patients with early cancer, it can be cured with a liver transplant.

Who gets liver cancer?

The reason patient get liver cancer is cirrhosis. As chronic damage happens in the liver that leads to cirrhosis, it also causes changes in the cells that lead to cancer. In the United States, the most common causes of cirrhosis that can lead to liver cancer are hepatitis C, hepatitis B and fatty liver.

How do I know I have liver cancer?

Unfortunately, liver cancer does not cause many symptoms until it is very advanced. In those cases, it may cause pain on the right side or yellowing of the eyes and skin or jaundice. Since liver cancer is highly treatable and there are no warning signs, it is recommended that patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis get a picture of the liver with ultrasound, MRI or CT every 6 months. Doctors know that finding a liver tumor early can save lives.

How is a liver cancer evaluated?

Once it is suspected that a patient has a liver tumor, a special MRI or CT scan is done to understand the quality, number and size of the tumors. There are also blood tests that can be done that sometimes detect liver cancer as well. The most common blood test used is the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). All patients with cancer of the liver should be seen by a hepatologist and then referred to a special team of doctors that review the patient’s case together known as a tumor board. This expert panel of doctors includes liver doctors, liver surgeons, cancer doctors, and radiologists. The team will evaluate the patient’s case together and come up with an expert recommendation about the plan of care.

Can liver cancer be treated?

Yes, there are many treatment options for liver cancer. The best way to way to decide on a treatment plan is to review the patient’s case at tumor board. Most often, the first line treatment is to perform a locoregional therapy. A locoregional treatment is when a special kind of doctor known as an interventional radiologist delivers a treatment to the cancer either by bringing the chemotherapy right to it or burns it with microwave. The medicines that these doctors use include chemotherapy or radiation therapy, known as a TACE or Y90.

Some patients cannot get locoregional therapy and they are better candidates for medicines like sorafenib, regorafenib, or nivoluminab. Occassionally, there are limited options for a patient, and in those cases we offer clinical trials.

On the other hand, if the tumors are able to be controlled and are not too big the patient may be a candidate for liver transplantation, which is a cure for cancer.

What is the bottom line for liver cancer?

If you have liver cancer, we are equipped to quickly evaluate your case with state of the art technology in a multidisciplinary approach. Liver cancer is highly treatable and even curable. If you don’t have liver cancer but think you are at risk, then ask.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

What can I expect if I am in the ICU after surgery?

Patients undergoing liver kidney, and pancreas surgery may require a short stay in our ICU on the 4th floor at St. Vincent Medical Center. This is a common and expected part of your hospital course.

What to expect immediately after surgery in the ICU

In addition to the IV in your arm, the catheter in your bladder, tube that may be placed in your stomach and small tubes that may be placed into your abdomen during surgery that were previously described, the following are some other catheters that may need to be placed prior to or during your surgery and may be in place in the ICU.

Some patients after surgery may require their breathing tube to remain in place over night while in the ICU. If this occurs, you will receive continuous medications through your IV to alleviate anxiety and control pain until we are ready to remove the breathing tube.

Most patients will have a small catheter, the same size as the IV in your arm, placed into an artery in either of your wrists. This catheter will allow us to monitor your blood pressure every time your heart beats and also to draw blood samples from your arterial circulation as needed.

Some patients will require the placement of a larger intravenous catheter into a vein either on the side of your neck or just below your collarbone. This catheter will allow us to give medications that cannot be given in the IV in your arm and also allows us to monitor your heart during your procedure.

If your Anesthesiologist feels it would be beneficial, you may have a small catheter called an epidural placed into your back that will give you a continuous infusion of pain medication to alleviate the pain that accompanies surgery in your abdomen.

Each of these procedures is done in a sterile fashion, after you receive a local anesthetic and are done inside the operating room prior to starting your surgery. Each catheter will be removed once the ICU team and surgery team agree that it is time for them to be taken out.

As an alternate method of pain control, your anesthesiologist may start you on a patient controlled analgesia pump after surgery. This pump gives pain medication through your IV in your arm and allows you to control when you receive injections of pain medication, without having to request it from the Nurse.

After surgery some patients may have a tube that goes into bladder that allows it to drain during and after surgery. Your surgery team usually removes this tube once you are up and out of bed.

Every hour while you are awake you will be exercising your breathing using an incentive spirometer (pictured below), which is used to prevent pneumonia and is an essential part of your ICU care. Additionally your Nurse will be getting you out of bed on your first day after surgery, which is another essential component of preventing problems with your lungs after surgery.

When can my family visit?

Visiting hours in the ICU are from 8 AM to 7 PM and then from 8 PM to 7 AM. Patients are allowed to have two visitors at the bedside at any one time, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis. We want our patients to have restful nights of sleep, so we encourage families to go home after 830pm each night but they are welcome to call the ICU for updates at any time. We do not allow fresh flowers in the ICU, but we do encourage families to bring in any assistive devices like glasses a patient may need to increase their comfort. We also encourage the use of eyeshades and earplugs for sleep or headphones with music as needed.

Who will manage my care in the ICU?

We have a team of trained Physicians, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners that are in the ICU 24/7 who will manage the minute by minute care you receive while in the ICU, while remaining in contact with your Surgeon to discuss any changes and to give updates on your progress. Additionally, our hepatobiliary surgical team will see you each day to review findings of surgery, plans for each day and when you can expect to transfer out of the ICU.