After the transplant surgery :
ICU and Liver Ward
After the surgeries, the donor and the recipient are then wheeled to the Intensive Care Unit of the Liver Ward (Level 6) for monitoring and observation. The nurses at Intensive Care Unit of the Liver Ward are specially trained to care for transplant patients.
Once the anaesthesia wears off, these are what the patients should expect :
- Some pain and discomfort but strong painkillers will be administered through the IV to relieve the pain.
- The breathing tube, also known as the ventilator or life support, will remain in place until you can breathe independently.
- A Foley catheter will be inserted into the bladder to drain urine into a bag that hangs on the side of the bed.
- An IV line called a pulmonary artery catheter is inserted through the blood vessels into the heart. It is connected to a vital sign monitor that will give information about how your lungs and heart are functioning.
- The arterial line, placed on the wrist, is connected to a machine that constantly measures your blood pressure and makes it possible to take blood samples when needed.
- A plastic tube, called a nasogastric (NG) tube, is passed through the nose, throat and into the stomach to drain any content from the stomach, thus preventing nausea. It needs to stay in place until your bowels begin to function again.
- An abdominal drain tube drains any blood or fluid that may accumulate around the incision area. The collection bags are emptied every few hours or more often if they are full. The tubes are removed when drainage becomes minimal or as determined by the transplant physician.
Tel: 65-6476-2088