ITALY: Molinette Hospital Saves 8-Month-Old With Life-Saving Liver Transplant From 5-Month-Old Donor

WORLD NEWS: In a groundbreaking medical triumph, the Ospedale Molinette in Turin, Italy, has saved the life of an 8-month-old girl through an intricate liver transplant. The infant, suffering from biliary atresia—a congenital condition blocking bile flow from the liver to the intestines—had seen her condition deteriorate into severe hepatic cirrhosis after an initial surgery at two months failed to rectify the situation. By November, with symptoms of ascites and severe jaundice, she was placed on the transplant list, but a matching donor remained elusive for six anxious weeks.

Amidst the looming crisis, the child‘s father volunteered to donate, and surgery was scheduled for mid-January. In a dramatic turn of events, just three days before the planned operation, a potential breakthrough emerged. The National Transplants Center identified a compatible liver from a 5-month-old donor who had succumbed to a congenital brain condition in another Italian region.

Handling the delicate situation was Professor Renato Romagnoli, head of the Transplant Department at Ospedale Molinette. Confronted with the challenge posed by the donor’s small size and the dire condition of the recipient, Romagnoli made the bold decision to go ahead with the transplant. The rigorous 11-hour procedure culminated in resounding success, with the young patient exhibiting immediate hepatic recovery.

Post-surgery, the child was moved to the gastroenterology unit at Regina Margherita Hospital to begin her rehabilitation journey. This case not only underscores the exceptional healthcare standards existing at Ospedale Molinette but also highlights the critical role organ donors play in saving lives, especially in complex medical scenarios.

First published 2025-01-26 08:01:18


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