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.
Appointments and Referrals
Learn how to get referred to Duke for a liver transplant.
Clinical Trials
Patients can often benefit from clinical trials by gaining access to treatments before they are widely available.
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:
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Brady, Carla W.
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Medicine /
Gastroenterology
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Collins, Bradley H.
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Surgery /
General Surgery
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Diehl, Anna Mae E.
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Medicine /
Gastroenterology
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Kuo, Paul C.
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Surgery /
General Surgery
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Martin, Abigail E.
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Surgery /
Pediatric General Surgery
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Surgery /
General Surgery
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Pediatrics /
General Surgery
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McHutchison, John G.
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Medicine /
Gastroenterology
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Muir, Andrew J.
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Medicine /
Gastroenterology
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Patel, Keyur
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Medicine /
Gastroenterology
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Smith, Alastair D.
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Medicine /
Gastroenterology
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Sudan, Debra L.
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Surgery /
General Surgery
Locations
This service is available at: