Page 110 - ICE BUSINESS TIMES January 2020

Interview

conducted on dead patients, however in reality it is conducted on patients
deemed clinically dead i.e. brain dead. The brain will function less and the
heart might stop, because the impulse from the brain will not be received.
So, the organ must be removed before the heart stops. The government has
a protocol for this process. A team of two neurosurgeons will asses whether
the person is brain dead or not. They will take three reflex tests of the
patient. Then 6 hours later another 3rd surgeon will independently assess
whether the person is brain dead or not. In spite of these protocols people
The cases are still stigmatized about the fact that we are stealing their money. If we
look at western countries any severe traffic accidents, if a voluntary donor
calls, they can directly be taken to the hospital for donation. From more
and more people are being saved. From one body 2 kidneys, 1 liver, 2
of the liver corneas, intestines, heart, pancreas, lungs, heart. 11 crucial organs will be
donated to people who need it more and they will be saved. So, people need
to understand the good grace of this action as 11 people who were about to
die will be saved because of the donor. This awareness must be spread. So,
the organ donation scene is getting better, lesser challenges than before.

Are there any significant difference
Dr. Joy Varghese about 6-8 hours. A pre-liver transplant protocol is followed. between Hepatology & GI?
GI is not related to general treatment. 20 to 30
Director – Hepatology and Transplant Hepatology Kidney doctors, Cardiologists, chest doctors, dental doctors years ago. Same doctors for heart are the same
Institute of Liver Diseases and transplantation etc. Almost 9 specialists will assess whether the patient has for intestine and kidney. Later specialists were
Gleneagles Global health city – Chennai liver disease alone or liver with some other problems. If the introduced In the sub fields such as
patient has some other problem, that problem can be solved Cardiologists, gastrointestinologist,
without surgery. So, the patient has to be medically assessed nephrologists and so on. In recent times, sub
then the surgery should be done or not. levels of specialty have been introduced.
Doctors specialized for pancreas, hepatologists
What is the prevalence of GI cancer in Asia and who will only treat livers. Retina surgeons also
What role can the body). After the person has died what are the key risk factors contributing to exist now. Hepatologists are sub group of GA
hepato-gastroenterologist play the full organ will be donated to this? surgeons.
the government. The liver is split
in gastro-intestinal oncology? into two sides, the right lobe GA cancer means it is a wide variety of cancers. It means
The liver cancer Is mostly caused by the (larger lobe) would be stomach cancer, liver cancer, pancreas cancer, small intestine What are the precautionary
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus. These transplanted to an adult while cancer, colon cancer and rarely seen, bile duct cancer from measures to prevent liver cirrhosis?
two strains of virus are most common the left love (smaller lobe) could malignant cells formation in the bile ducts which can be Fatty liver is an epidemic in south east Asia. 1
in the South East Asian countries. The be transplanted to a pediatric induced from having liver related diseases. out of 3 people are affected by it. Fortunately, it
prevention method is being practiced child. But in our country, it's Mostly the stomach cancer and colon cancer are more is preventable and not as crucial as infectious
that means when once a year they have mostly the family members who prevalent. Liver virus is mostly caused by the Hepatitis B and ones. Our way of life must be changed. Less
to go through a screening test for liver are living donors. They donate a C. Our one is a pancreatic cancer; this commonly occurs in consumption of carbohydrate and regular
cancer, they should not at all wait for part of their liver to the afflicted individuals. Chronic pancreatic disease is related to genetics. It walking. Those who don’t follow this they will
the tumor to come back, they should patient. They will donate the is sometimes hereditary. 4 in 1000 people are afflicted by this most likely be affected by liver cirrhosis and
take medicine for the virus. If the liver right lobe and from the disease. Mostly old aged population. So, the screening liver cancer. So, children in schools will be
cancer is identified in the early stages, remaining left lobe the liver will morality of people should increase, so the disease is detected aware. So, they will learn this for years to
we can cure the disease completely. But completely regenerate itself with in the early stages and is easily treatable. come. All the knowledge should be given to
if the cancer is detected in the very later in a month. So, living donors them from the start so they are saved in the
stages i.e. when it is detected after a only donate a part of their liver, Can you give us an future.
year. The person is at risk of dying no whereas in the case of a cadaver account of the
matter how costly the treatment is. So, liver, it can be split into two and challenges you faced What’s one piece of advice you
the patient must go for regular yearly be donated to afflicted patients in setting up cadaver would give to your patients?
screenings and take necessary respectively. liver transplant As Im a hepatologist so I would urge my
treatment to prevent. program in the states patients them to receive their hepatitis vaccine
of Kerala & Tamil and secondly, I would ask them to maintain
What tests are done before Can liver be split for Nadu? their ideal body weight. Not to fat not too slim.
getting a liver transplant? transplant? Cadaver organ it was not the In india, alcohol consumption is very
What is the process for getting We have to assess whether the most practiced procedure due prevalent. Psychiatrists and counselors in
a liver transplant? patient is medically qualified for to the varied stigmas attached hospitals will monitor the patient. Patients and
The transplant will only work with the transplant operation because to it. The wrong perception family members should be educated on the
cadaver organs (organs from a dead this a major operation. It takes people have is that it is basis of these to lead a healthy lifestyle.

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