One month prior to hospitalization, the patient experienced fatigue, loss of appetite, and progressive jaundice. Despite 8 plasma exchanges, her liver function did not improve, and she two times fell into a hepatic coma, facing a high risk of death. Her family transferred her to Da Nang Hospital in critical condition, where doctors identified a liver transplant as her only chance of survival.

Doctors conducted a multi-specialty consultation, initiating intensive resuscitation and urgently searching for a suitable liver donor to minimize surgical waiting time. 4 family members underwent screening, with the patient's son identified as a compatible donor.

“If my mother fell into a coma again, we might lose her forever,” the son shared, adding, “With Tet approaching, everyone in the family was anxious.”

The liver donation and transplant surgery took place on the morning of 8/2, with professional support from doctors at Military Hospital 108.

4 days post-surgery, by 13/2, the patient was conscious, her jaundice significantly reduced, with no signs of hepatic encephalopathy, and the transplanted liver was functioning well. The son, who donated his liver, also recovered steadily, able to walk and eat independently.

The mother waves to her son from the isolation room after the liver transplant surgery. *Photo: Tuan Anh*

Doctor Le Duc Nhan, Director of Da Nang Hospital, stated that acute liver failure progresses very rapidly, with “time measured in hours.” Therefore, the team had to simultaneously implement resuscitation procedures, conduct tests, calculate the liver graft volume, and complete all formalities to ensure the transplant surgery took place as quickly as possible while prioritizing patient safety.

This marks the 4th liver transplant performed by Da Nang Hospital since 10/2025. The hospital's medical team provides a chance of survival for patients with acute liver failure, attributed to professional coordination and the timely organ donation decisions of relatives.

Vietnam currently leads Southeast Asia in the number of organ transplants. It is also the only nation in the region to maintain over 1,000 donation and transplant cases annually since 2022.

Nguyen Dong