Biliary Complications after Liver Transplantation: New Insights and Biomarkers

Abstract

In Urdu the word for liver, jiggar ( ), is used to refer to courage or strength as a figure of speech. The liver itself could indeed be classified as courageous or strong as it is burdened with a large variety of vital functions, including detoxification of the human body, disassembly and synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and digestion, absorption and storage of nutrients, which are released as required. It is therefore an essential organ required for maintaining homeostasis. Unsurprisingly, chronic or acute, dysfunction of the liver, due to congenital, metabolic, infectious, or malignant disease, is incompatible with life and therefore requires substitute therapy, which can only be achieved by liver transplantation. The first attempt at human liver transplantation was reported in 1963, by dr. Thomas E. Starzl, in a 3-year old boy suffering of congenital biliary atresi. He died intraoperatively because of excessive hemorrhage.