Melisa’s Journey: A Life-Saving Liver Transplant in Türkiye

While waiting on the deceased donor list for a liver transplant in Germany, she regained her health in Türkiye through her cousin’s liver donation.

Melisa, a 24-year-old university senior born in Germany, lives there with her family. She was diagnosed with Caroli Disease, a rare genetic condition that causes the bile ducts in the liver to widen. This led to liver failure, making a transplant essential for her survival. Melisa registered on the transplant waiting list, but being on the list did not guarantee an immediate transplant. She had to wait for her turn.

What is Liver Transplantation?

Liver transplantation is a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased or damaged liver with a healthy one from a donor. There are two types of liver transplants based on the donor source: living donor and deceased donor transplantation. The liver is uniquely suited for living donor transplants because it is the only organ in the human body that can regenerate. When a donor gives more than half of their liver for transplantation, the remaining portion can continue functioning without serious complications. In fact, the liver can still perform its functions even when up to 70% of it is removed.

Understanding Liver Failure and Melisa’s Transplant Journey

When the liver can no longer function properly, it is called liver failure. If it is not treated, it will progress to death. A liver transplant is the only solution, as survival is not possible without a functioning liver. Liver failure can have various causes, and Melisa’s case was one of the rarer ones.

In Caroli Syndrome, parts of the bile ducts inside the liver become abnormally enlarged, forming cyst-like or sac-like structures. These may contain stones or sludge, leading to serious infections that can progress to blood poisoning and pose a life-threatening risk. Melisa experienced these complications multiple times and spent the past year in hospitals across Germany, undergoing repeated treatments for her bile ducts. She faced life-threatening situations, making a liver transplant urgently necessary. However, the waiting period in Germany extended longer than expected, and she was informed that it could extend even further.  Meanwhile, she received great news from Türkiye. Her cousin Oğuzhan had decided to volunteer as a donor for her. The two cousins, living in different countries, reunited at Acıbadem İzmir Hospital. Professor of Surgery Murat Kılıç and his team performed the operation, removing a portion of Oğuzhan’s liver and transplanting it into Melisa.

The Greatest Gift: A Second Chance at Life

The surgery was successful, and everything went smoothly afterward. Ten days later, they were discharged from the hospital. Organ transplantation is a deeply emotional journey. A healthy donor willingly undergoes surgery to give part of their organ, offering someone else a chance to survive. The recipient, in turn, holds on to life through this act of generosity.

Melisa expressed her gratitude, saying, “I now have a second brother. He made sacrifices for me, and I can’t thank him enough. I was deeply moved by his willingness. He was my cousin before, but now he is my brother. I used to play licensed football for a club in Germany, and I was in my final year at university. Unfortunately, I had to miss my exams because of my disease, but I will continue my studies.”

Oğuzhan shared his thoughts, saying, “I did what anyone should do. At first, I was scared and worried about getting hurt. But we shouldn’t let fear hold us back. Saving a life is a privilege not everyone gets.”

Living Liver Transplantation Program at Acıbadem

Each year, more than 1,400 liver transplants are performed in Türkiye, with 80% involving living donors. This places Türkiye second in the world for the highest number of living donor liver transplants.  Acıbadem Healthcare Group is a leading destination for liver transplantation in Türkiye. Patients from around the world choose Acıbadem for its multidisciplinary approach, extensive experience, innovative surgical techniques, high success rates, and patient-centered care.

To date, Acıbadem has successfully performed over 2,000 liver transplants for patients from around the world, including children, complex cases, and combined kidney-liver transplants. These procedures are carried out at its three liver transplant centers in Istanbul, Izmir, and Bursa.

If you’d like to learn more, visit acibademinternational.com and share your condition with us through the contact form. Our expert team will get in touch with you within a few hours.

Crédito: Link de origem