CHENNAI: Twenty-six-year old Gomathi P, a home-maker, had complained of indigestion and vomiting and was diagnosed with jaundice by a neighbourhood clinic in Chrompet. Ten days later, she found that her liver had completely failed and an urgent liver transplant was warranted.
Mother of a five-year-old, Gomati managed to get a second chance at life by receiving a last-minute liver transplant this week after she was put as a “super urgent” case on the statewide organ transplant list.
“About a month ago, I noticed that my urine was darker but didn’t take it seriously. Then I started to vomit and lose my appetite. I was admitted in a clinic for jaundice but I just wasn’t getting better,” said the young mother.
At this point, Gomati’s family was referred to MIOT International, “We conducted a complete check and found that the liver was affected but ruled out hepatitis. Then a special procedure called Trans- Jugular Liver Biopsy clearly showed that she required an emergency transplant,” said Dr T Arul, hepatologist at MIOT.
Doctors at the hospital said Gomati’s family was unable to believe how serious the situation was until she slipped into a coma.
The family of a 31-year old brain-dead road accident victim admitted in the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital came forward to donate the liver and a seven- hour surgery was performed. “After the surgery, the patient woke up in 12 hours and within 24 hours she was out of life support and by day three she was able to walk,” said Dr. Paari Vijayaragavan, surgeon, Hepato and Biliary and Solid Organ Transplant Department.