By the time P. Gomathi came to MIOT International earlier this month, she was quite ill. She had a 10-day history of loss of appetite and worsening jaundice. Her bilirubin levels were 18 times higher than normal. She had bleeding tendencies and a trans-jugular biopsy showed that the 26-year-old’s liver was severely damaged.
“She needed an emergency liver transplant,” said T. Arul, hepatologist at the hospital. Her brother and father came forward to donate a part of their livers, but both were found not suitable. Her mother was undergoing a work-up to check for her suitability, when Gomathi, whose condition was worsening, went into a coma and was on life support, said another doctor.
They were speaking at a press conference held at the hospital on Saturday.
A super urgent request was made for a cadaver organ, and that night, one became available from a 31-year-old victim of a road accident. The team, headed by R. Surendran, performed the liver transplant, and the liver started working immediately. The surgery was performed on July 18, and the following day, Gomathi was off life support and was able to walk. “I am feeling so much better now,” said the mother of a five-year-old.
Doctors do not know what caused Gomathi’s condition, but said that viral infections and certain drugs could cause it.
“We want to lay stress on the point that jaundice should not be taken very lightly. If the person is not getting better in a couple of days, it is important to seek specialised care. The death rate in cases of acute liver failure is over 80 per cent,” said Dr. Surendran.
After nearly a month in the hospital, Gomathi was ready to be discharged on Saturday.
Chairperson Mallika Mohandas said, “We just opened the cancer department too. We get about 500 to 700 outpatients a day, and have around 420 in-patients,” she said.
Published - July 31, 2016 12:00 am IST
