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  1. UAMS Health
  2. Treatments & Procedures
  3. Liver Transplant Surgery

Treatment & Procedure: Liver Transplant Surgery

When a liver becomes available, your name will be reviewed along with the others in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) computerized waiting list. If your illness places you in the highest priority, you will be chosen as the recipient and contacted by the transplant coordinator.

At the Hospital

Once at the hospital, you will be prepared for surgery. It is both an exciting and frightening time, so it is important to have someone with you for support. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes between six and eight hours for liver, and about four hours for kidney.

Post-Surgery

After the surgery, you will be moved to the surgical intensive care unit. You will stay in the ICU where the function of the transplanted liver will be monitored very closely in the first 1-2 days. If everything is working well, you may be moved to the transplant unit after 24 to 48 hours. Right away, you’ll start taking a medicine that dampers your immune system, so it’s less likely to damage the donated organ. You will be watched very closely for any side effects from these medicines.

You will also meet with a pharmacist, social worker, dietitian, and diabetic nurse if you have or develop diabetes. All of these people will contribute to your education and help you learn to take your medications correctly, prevent infections, get appropriate follow up including lab draws and to make the necessary arrangements for your discharge – which, if everything goes well, should be anywhere from 4 to 7 days.

Surgical Risks

Like all surgeries, there are risks to transplant surgery.  These will be discussed in-depth with your transplant team but include bleeding, infection, and wound complications.

Sometimes, after you arrive at the hospital for your transplant, we find that for some medical reason, the surgery may have to be postponed (for example, you may have an infection). The donor liver may also have developed some problem that makes it unsuitable for transplant. Although disappointing, this is a temporary setback and the search for a new liver will continue.

Conditions Related to Liver Transplant Surgery

  • Cancer-Related Organ Failure
  • Liver Failure

Providers Performing Liver Transplant Surgery

Note that every condition listed above may not be treated by each provider listed below. Review each provider for availability.

Lyle J. Burdine, M.D., Ph.D.

Lyle J. Burdine, M.D., Ph.D. Transplant Surgeon

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Matthew G. Deneke, M.D.

Matthew G. Deneke, M.D. Gastroenterologist

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Emmanouil Giorgakis, M.D.

Emmanouil Giorgakis, M.D. Transplant Surgeon

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Raj B. Patel, M.D.

Raj B. Patel, M.D. Transplant Surgeon

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Mary Katherine Rude, M.D.

Mary Katherine Rude, M.D. Hepatologist

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Ragesh B. Thandassery, M.D.

Ragesh B. Thandassery, M.D. Hepatologist

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Locations Providing Liver Transplant Surgery

Exterior of Outpatient Center

Liver Transplant Clinic

4110 Outpatient Circle
Outpatient Center, Third Floor, Surgical Specialties Clinic
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
(800) 552-8026
New and Returning Patients
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Areas of Expertise for Liver Transplant Surgery

Granddaughter Visiting Grandmother In Hospital Bed For Afternoon Tea

Organ Transplant

UAMS is the home of Arkansas’ only adult kidney and liver transplant center, with transplants beginning in 1964 with the state’s first kidney transplant.  UAMS also performed the state’s first …

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Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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