Medical first in the Republic of Moldova: Liver transplant performed from an adult to a one-year-old child
A medical milestone was achieved at the Republican Clinical Hospital "Timofei Moșneaga" in Chișinău. A one-year-and-four-month-old child's life was saved through a liver transplant from a living donor, making this child the youngest patient in the Republic of Moldova to undergo such a procedure.
The surgery lasted approximately ten hours, and the child was in intensive care for a week afterwards. The patient is expected to be discharged shortly.
Professor Adrian Hotineanu, head of the Department of Surgery No. 2 at the SCR "Timofei Moșneaga", explained that the child was diagnosed with tyrosinemia, a serious and rare genetic condition. The liver transplant was necessary because the child’s liver was severely damaged and had practically lost its function.
"The transplant team, along with specialists from the IMSP Institute of Mother and Child, examined the child, and preparations for the surgery took considerable time," the doctor stated.
A multidisciplinary team collaborated seamlessly during the surgery.
Sergiu Barnaciuc, head of the Cardiac Malformation Surgery Section, noted that a vascular anastomosis was required between the patient’s artery and the artery of the donated liver.
"It’s a complicated procedure, especially given the tiny size of the vessels. However, in the end, the liver regained its functions," Barnaciuc remarked.
The donor was an anonymous individual who learned about the family’s situation through a TV show.
The child's mother, Emilia Tudoreanu, shared that the battle for her child's life was a long journey. It all began with a visit to their family doctor, who, after examining the abdomen, noted that the child's liver was enlarged and recommended examination. The results confirmed hepatosplenomegaly, leading to the child's urgent hospitalization at the Mother and Child Institute.
Genetic tests revealed the rare condition of type 1 tyrosinemia, and the child frequently suffered from colds due to a weakened immune system.
Emilia Tudoreanu expressed deep gratitude to the donor, whose generous act saved her child.
The child is now under close medical supervision, is recovering well, and is expected to be discharged soon.
