liver transplant consultation

[pipersimon]

My sister in law has been in the hospital for 7 weeks with liver and kidney failure due to alcholism.  She is just 30 years old and has a 2 1/2 year old son.  We are frustrated with the lack of support we are getting from the doctors. We can't seem to get any straight answers on her condition or prognosis, nor can we get the transplant doctor to return our calls.  Is there an outside source we can contact to get her records reviewed - basically someone to evaluate her condition and give us some recommendations of what needs to be done and how we would proceed with finding a specialist to consider her for a transplant.   It is heartbreaking to watch her go through this and to not be able to provide her with answers or hope.  Can you help give our family some guidance?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

it is very difficult to have docs come in from other institutions to do evaluations.  If she requires hospitalization then transfer to another institution is the only way to go.  Places not too far such as cleveland clinic, HUP should be considered (i presume that U of pittsburgh is not an option).  Could contact dr charles miller at the former and dr raj reddy at the latter.

[pipersimon]

She is in Pittsburgh PA.   Any help and guidance you can provide is helpful.  How would we go about getting someone in for a second opinion?  I contacted another hospital and they said they can't work outside of their hospital system.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

i would be able to direct you to liver transplant physicians in your area if you let me know in what state she is hospitalized.  unfortunately if she was actively drinking almost no transplant center would consider the option of transplantation.  the best they can ususally do is to support the individual until they have enough abstinence and have entered a relapse prevention program.  the physicians have the obligation to discuss with the patient and their all options and the prognosis.  

i hope this is helpful