Vietnamese Doctors Perform First Liver Transplant for Critically Ill Patient

On May 7, the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Hospital announced the successful first liver transplant for a critically ill patient with acute liver failure, kidney failure, and undergoing intensive care, local media reported.

The patient, Ms. T.T.H., 46, was diagnosed with acute liver failure and grade II hepatic encephalopathy with an unclear history of hepatitis B infection. Without effective intervention, the patient was at risk of dying within 48 hours, said Dr. Duong Duc Hung, chairman of the Scientific Council and director of the Hospital.

After nine hours of intense surgery, the transplanted liver's function has been restored, marking one of the most severe cases successfully treated by the hospital.

To date, the hospital has successfully performed 120 liver transplants, with 98 cases from deceased donors, mostly patients on the waiting list.

(Suc Khoe Doi Song, Lao Dong, Bao Lao Cai, Dai Bieu Nhan Dan)