For patients who need liver transplants, Duke offers
comprehensive evaluation and care, including traditional
transplants and a living-related transplant program.
Transplant is an option when the liver can no longer perform
vital functions and when the liver disease cannot be corrected
in any other way.
Duke’s work has enhanced the prospects of liver transplant
patients around the nation by contributing to advancements in
transplant techniques and post-transplant treatments.
In 1997, Duke implemented a living related liver
transplant program for children and small adults. In
Living related transplants, part of the liver of a living adult
donor is removed and transplanted into the person who is sick.
In about two months, the recipient’s new liver grows to normal
size.
Duke’s team of physicians, nurses, social workers,
pharmacists, dieticians, and medical psychologists will help
determine if a liver transplant is the right treatment for you.
If and when you become a transplant patient, the same group of
professionals will take care of you.
As with all transplant programs, organ availability is a
great factor limiting the number of transplants that can be
performed each year.
Surgery
Surgery takes six to 10 hours. You can expect to be
discharged from the hospital within one to two weeks after your
operation, but you will need to remain in Durham for another
two weeks for frequent clinic visits.
Remember that each person is different, and your recovery
depends on your progress or development of complications.
Clinical Trials
Patients can often benefit from clinical trials by gaining
access to treatments before they are widely available.
For information on the latest and upcoming trials involving
liver transplant, please call Sherri Jarvis at
919-681-6898.
Visit DukeHealth.org's Clinical Trials section for additional
clinical trial participation opportunities.
Transplant Coordinators
Tracie Curtis, RN, BSN
Julie Hudson, RN, MSN
Susan Gagan, RN, BSN
Marion Stewart, RN, BSN, CCTC
Transplant Social Worker
Karli Pontillo, MSW, LCSW
Nurse Practitioner
Gentile, Judith RN, ANP
Study Coordinators
Sherrie Jarvis, RN
Physicians
Physicians offering this service include:
Locations
This service is available at:
