A 64-year-old man from Quebec has made history by being the first patient in North America to undergo a liver transplant using a regenerated liver. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to significantly increase the number of viable livers available for transplant within its initial year of implementation.
Gérard Landry, residing in Nouvelle on Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula, had been grappling with liver issues for around 15 years, culminating in cirrhosis and liver cancer. Prior to his transplant surgery, his doctor surprised him with news that his new liver had been regenerated using a novel machine at Montreal’s Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM).
Referred to as Liver Assist, this innovative technology enables medical professionals to treat and evaluate donated livers outside the body before transplantation. For Landry, this meant receiving a liver that may have otherwise been deemed too risky for use.
Dr. David Hénault, a liver transplant specialist at CHUM, spearheaded the project and conducted Landry’s surgery. The Liver Assist system functions by connecting a donated liver to a machine that circulates an oxygen-rich fluid through the organ, potentially reversing damage caused by oxygen deprivation during the organ’s extracorporeal period.
Hénault highlighted that this technology could expand the pool of available livers for transplantation. Collaborating with Transplant Québec, the team identified livers previously rejected for transplant that could be salvaged through this technology. It is estimated that up to 24 additional livers could be made available for transplantation in the initial year of utilizing this technology, with potential for further growth.
Studies have indicated that Liver Assist can reduce complications, the need for reoperations, and hospital stays for suitable patients. Landry’s swift recovery post-operation showcased the success of the transplant, with his blood work surpassing expectations shortly after the procedure.
As Landry continues his recovery in Montreal, he eagerly anticipates returning home to Gaspésie and resuming his daily life. He hopes his journey will inspire discussions about organ donation, emphasizing the critical need for available organs to complement advanced medical technologies.