Self-Management Care In Liver Transplant Recipients

Liver transplant (LT) is an effective and valuable option for patients with end stage liver disease. Post-transplant survival of the recipients depends on continuous follow-up and Self Care management.

Patients who have undergone liver transplant should follow these self-care behaviours after discharge from the hospital following a liver transplant surgery:

• Ensure strict medication adherence to prevent rejection.
• Set mobile reminder app for medication schedule.
• Avoid shower until drains are out and wound is completely healed.
• Visit scheduled monthly follow-ups for first 2 years, then every 3 months or as advised.
• Monitor BP, blood glucose, and tacrolimus levels at each visit.
• Ensure vaccination schedule (influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis A).
• Strictly avoid alcohol and tobacco for the whole life
• Limit visitors. Avoid going to crowded places
• Maintain Environment hygiene. Maintain the hygiene of washroom, floors of living spaces with surface disinfectants like Freshly prepared Bleaching powder solution/quaternary ammonium products/70% alcohol/Chlorhexidine etc.
• Strict avoid gardening, touching soil etc. Soil has fungus and bacteria.
• Avoid swimming pools or immersive baths.
• Note and report even slightest of fever spike
• Consume only well-cooked fresh food
• Avoid street food. Avoid raw seafood or unpasteurized foods.
• Take High protein, low fat, high fibre from whole grain, vegetables and fruits as prescribed by the surgeon.
• Avoid raw vegetables salads
• Avoid grape fruit, it can affect tacrolimus levels
• Check tacrolimus level in blood every three months or as advised by the transplant surgeon. (Commonly kept 5 to 8 in post discharge period). Maintain tacrolimus levels as advised by transplant surgeon. Regular follow up visits to transplant surgery OPD.
• Avoid lifting weight in the first 3 to 6 months. No more than 10 pounds
• There are chances of new onset of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, malignancy, and/or acute kidney failure due to tacrolimus.
• There can be bone disorders, blood lipid disorders.
• Ensure annual screening for infections (like-Hepatitis B Virus and Cytomegalovirus) and malignancy.
• Take preventive vaccination schedule (influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis A). Avoid live vaccines
• Check for deteriorating signs like abdominal swelling and mental confusion
• Watch for side effects of the drugs like tremors, fever, decrease urine output due to nephrotoxicity etc.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure
• Increase exercise gradually. Follow daily 30-minute walking and light aerobic exercises.

Disclaimer:

This information is provided for educational purposes only.