Youngest, lightest child undergoes successful liver transplant at our exclusive private medical facility

✏️ Rewritten Article:

Little Fighter's New Lease on Life: Successful Liver Transplant by Vinmec

HÀ NỘI — Vinmec International Healthcare System opened a new chapter in Vietnam's medical history when it successfully carried out a complex liver transplant on an eight-month-old infant weighing a mere 6.5kg, using a donor liver from a brain-dead patient. Known as N.L.T, this infant is the youngest and lightest pediatric patient in the country to undergo such a groundbreaking surgery in a private hospital.

N.L.T's battle began when doctors diagnosed him with end-stage cirrhosis due to biliary atresia. Following a Kasai procedure at just 1.5 months old, his liver function continues to deteriorate, leading to frequent hospitalizations every one to two weeks. His tragic health struggles included abdominal swelling, an enlarged spleen, fluid buildup, and breathing difficulties caused by liver compression on the diaphragm. With no other viable treatment options left, liver transplantation became the only hope for this little fighter.

When a compatible donor liver from a brain-dead donor was matched at Hà Nội-based Bạch Mai Hospital, Vinmec's team immediately sprang into action. Led by the renowned surgeon, Assoc. Prof. Phạm Đức Huấn, the team convened an emergency transplant protocol as they hoped to give this infant the chance at life he so desperately needed.

A medical staff monitor the infant's health following the liver transplant. VNA/VNS Photo

The operation, which lasted a grueling 10 hours, was a daunting task due to N.L.T's small size and complex medical history. Doctors faced significant challenges in anesthesia, critical care, and surgical technique, requiring meticulous, minute-by-minute coordination and tackling severe coagulation disorders, complex anatomical reconstruction, and intricate vascular work due to his prior health complications.

As the anesthesia wore off, the infant let out a strong cry – a moment of triumph that signaled his recovery after months of struggle. Today, N.L.T is recovering well, experiencing improved liver function, eating, and sleeping normally. His mother, overwhelmed with relief, expressed her gratitude, saying, "For the first time in eight months, my child cried with strength after enduring so much. In that moment, it felt like a new life had begun."

Dr Huấn also shed light on the logistical complexity of the case, as the donor was a multi-organ brain-dead patient who gave hearts, lungs, livers, and corneas, demanding precise coordination across multiple surgical and logistical teams. Vinmec's track record includes successful high-risk transplants on children under 10 kilogrammes, patients with acute liver failure and chronic liver disease, blood type incompatible patients, and those undergoing their third liver transplant.

Despite being a private hospital, Vinmec remains the only facility in Việt Nam capable of performing both living and deceased donor liver transplants and is currently ranked second nationwide in terms of total living donor liver transplants performed. Over the past three decades, Việt Nam's medical sector has made significant leaps in organ transplantation, now leading Southeast Asia in the annual number of transplants, having completed over 9,000 organ transplants to date.

Doctors perform the liver transplant surgery on the patient. VNA/VNS Photo

Enrichment Data:In this pioneering liver transplant, the infant's small size and weight posed a technical challenge, while the complexity of the procedure required a team of highly skilled medical professionals with specialized training and expertise. The successful outcome underscores the importance of advanced medical facilities and a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary medical team for highly specialized pediatric care, including liver transplantation.

Vinmec International Healthcare System made history in Vietnam with a successful complex liver transplant on an 8-month-old, weighing 6.5 kilogrammes.
N.L.T, the youngest and lightest pediatric patient in the country, was diagnosed with end-stage cirrhosis due to biliary atresia.
After a Kasai procedure, N.L.T's liver function continued to deteriorate, leading to frequent hospitalizations.
His health struggles included abdominal swelling, an enlarged spleen, fluid buildup, and breathing difficulties.
With no other viable treatment options left, liver transplantation became his only hope.
A compatible donor liver from a brain-dead donor was matched at Bach Mai Hospital.
Vinmec's team led by Assoc. Prof. Pham Duc Huang convened an emergency transplant protocol.
The operation, which lasted 10 hours, was a daunting task due to N.L.T's small size and complex medical history.
Doctors faced significant challenges in anesthesia, critical care, and surgical technique.
N.L.T's recovery included improved liver function, eating, and sleeping normally.
N.L.T's mother expressed relief, saying, "For the first time in eight months, my child cried with strength."
Dr Huang highlighted the logistical complexity of the case, as the donor was a multi-organ brain-dead patient.
Vinmec's track record includes successful high-risk transplants on children under 10 kilogrammes.
Despite being a private hospital, Vinmec remains the only facility in Vietnam capable of performing both living and deceased donor liver transplants.
Vietnam's medical sector has made significant leaps in organ transplantation, leading Southeast Asia in the annual number of transplants.
Advanced medical facilities and a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary medical team are crucial for highly specialized pediatric care, including liver transplantation.
AI and science can play a crucial role in improving healthcare, especially in complex surgeries and diagnostics.
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Youngest, lightest child undergoes successful liver transplant at our exclusive private medical facility