First liver transplant here

1 July 2010 11:59 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Vineetha M.Gamage

Marking a turning point in the Medical History of Sri Lanka, a team of local surgeons have succeeded in performing the first Liver Transplant in Sri Lanka.

A team led by Dr. Mandika Wijeratne had performed the surgery and the patient who underwent the operation is now being treated under supervision at the Intensive Care Unit, National Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe told reporters. He said the specialty of the operation was that the liver belonged to a patient who was declared brain-dead.

He went on to say that in the past, for a liver transplant a patient had to be taken to a hospital abroad and it would have cost a minimum of Rs.5. Million .

The patient who underwent the operation is said to be 40 years of age and the liver that was transplanted on him had been extracted from an accident victim whose brain had been severely damaged. Upon receiving certified confirmation from two Specialist Doctors that there was no possibility of recovery, with the explicit permission from the close relatives of the donor , the removal of the organ had been effected.

When inquired about the time taken for the operation, Dr.Weerasinghe said it had been 24 hours from the point of removing the organ from the donor to the time of completing operation on the patient.

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Comments - 20

F.N.de Silva Thursday, 01 July 2010 06:04 PM

Congratulations and well done!

Gamini Fernando Friday, 02 July 2010 08:49 AM

Way to go Sri Lanka !

nirosha Friday, 02 July 2010 06:19 AM

congratz... to all team of doctors

DHA Friday, 02 July 2010 05:19 AM

This is indeed good news....May God Bless the donor....its indeed sad to hear about this condition.....please simply ensure that in future Liver theft don't take place in our country for money....!!!....one never know for money our people are ready to do anything....!!!!

Abdul Friday, 02 July 2010 05:09 AM

Cost does matter, How can one do this surgery and be in debt for life, literally

neri Friday, 02 July 2010 03:46 AM

Agree.. we must appriciate the donor's relatives also..

neri Friday, 02 July 2010 03:44 AM

Why do u specifically ask about the cost? Saving a life is more important than money

Sammy Friday, 02 July 2010 03:11 AM

Congrats, it proves that if their is a will there is a way & even Sri Lankans can do it. However, that should be sustenance of such efforts. We have seen so many one-off pioneering efforts in various fields here, not being sustained.

Dr I.M.C.Fernando Thursday, 01 July 2010 09:25 PM

Congratulations to the surgical team led by Dr. M. Wijeratne, on their successful completion of Sri Lanka's first ever liver transplant!

Sena2 Thursday, 01 July 2010 08:30 PM

Congrats to Dr. Mandika Wijeratne and his team for undertaking this pioneering endeavour, in our country. We justifiably feel proud about this work. We pray and wish that the transplant will prove to be successful!

Dinesh Thursday, 01 July 2010 01:32 PM

Congrats !!!

Chinthaka Fernando Thursday, 01 July 2010 03:48 PM

congratz.....

annonymous 0x0 Thursday, 01 July 2010 03:39 PM

Never! They are happy with what is (NOT) available!

Yehiya Zavahir Thursday, 01 July 2010 03:20 PM

Best wishes to Dr.Mandika Wijeratne & the team. After the Dr. Shariffdeen best surgeon in the country.

Tissa Thursday, 01 July 2010 02:41 PM

My greatest, humblest congratulations to dedicated Drs, staff, and all others including the relatives of donor. you all are a cause for our national pride!

azath Thursday, 01 July 2010 02:16 PM

Excellent, there will be a huge waiting list for this.

MagodisThuma Thursday, 01 July 2010 02:15 PM

What about Brain Transplantation...?
Politicos will come in the queue...!.

citizen1 Thursday, 01 July 2010 01:58 PM

Great of the family to have donated the liver, it couldn't have been easy. Wish the patient all the best.

truemen Thursday, 01 July 2010 01:48 PM

Great,,,,!!! WAY TO GO SRI LANKA

Catherine Thursday, 01 July 2010 01:38 PM

Great News. Congratulations to the team of doctors! What is the cost of this surgery?

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First liver transplant here

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