Children's Hospital Colorado Sets New Benchmark in Liver Care

Children's Hospital Colorado Achieves Record in Liver Transplants

Top-ranked pediatric hospital system with the lowest waitlist times marks historic milestone

AURORA, Colo. — Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) has reached a historic milestone for its Liver Transplant Program, performing a record-breaking number of transplants in a recent year. With 22 liver transplants completed, Children's Colorado has surpassed the program's previous record of 20 transplants. This achievement demonstrates the program's nationally recognized success, marking it as the only pediatric-focused, multi-specialty program in the Rocky Mountain region with the lowest waitlist times in the nation.

This accomplishment reflects not only the growth of the Liver Transplant Program but also the team's commitment to utilizing all available options to expedite transplants for children. These options include grafts from directed living donors (donating to a specific person), non-directed living donors (donating to a stranger), and innovative approaches like reduced-size or split grafts from deceased donors.

The Importance of Living Donor Transplants

Dr. Amy Feldman, Medical Director of the Liver Transplant Program at Children's Colorado, has noted that while living donors constitute about 15% of pediatric liver transplants nationally, they represent a remarkable 40% of transplants performed at the hospital. This reflects the unique expertise and experience of the team in executing living donor liver transplants. With the partnership of adult colleagues at the University of Colorado, the program effectively facilitates timely transplants, minimizing the risk of morbidity and mortality among young patients.

Patient Demographics and Regional Reach

In a striking development, 43% of liver transplants performed at Children's Colorado in the past year involved out-of-state patients. This statistic underscores the program's impact not just regionally, but on a national scale. The diverse range of conditions in children who received transplants, including Wilson's disease, biliary atresia, and acute liver failure, highlights the program's depth of expertise and its capability to address complex medical needs swiftly, ensuring patients are in optimal condition for transplant procedures.

Dr. Michael Wachs, Surgical Director of the Abdominal Transplant Program, acknowledged the dedication and teamwork that enabled the program to achieve this milestone. He emphasized that cutting-edge practices, such as plasmapheresis and intraoperative dialysis for small patients, empower the team to take on higher-risk cases without compromising patient safety.

The Role of University of Colorado Hospital

The outstanding success of the Liver Transplant Program in recent years is supported by the unwavering commitment of Children's Colorado and its collaboration with UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Thanks to these joint efforts, the waitlist times for organ transplants at Children's Colorado have been reduced to less than two months—significantly shorter than the national average of eight months—while maintaining excellent patient outcomes. This strategic partnership ensures that the program can continue to grow in reach and effectiveness.

Progress in Living Donation

In collaboration with UCHealth, non-directed liver donors—individuals who donate a portion of their liver without knowing the intended recipient—are prioritized for children on the waitlist at Children's Colorado. To qualify as a living donor, one must be a healthy adult aged 18-55, demonstrating that the life of a child can be saved regardless of family ties. Moreover, surgeries are enhanced by robotic assistance, significantly reducing the recovery time for donors.

Future Prospects for the Liver Transplant Program

As interest grows in living donations, the program is positioned to broaden its reach and positively influence more lives. Children’s Hospital Colorado aims to continue its journey of innovation, focusing on advanced practices to sustain and expand its life-saving capabilities in pediatric healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What milestone did Children's Hospital Colorado recently achieve?

Children's Hospital Colorado recently achieved a historic milestone by performing 22 liver transplants in a single year.

How does the hospital's living donor program work?

The living donor program allows healthy adults aged 18-55 to donate a portion of their liver, prioritizing these organs for children on the transplant waitlist.

What conditions do pediatric liver transplants address?

The program addresses complex conditions like Wilson's disease, biliary atresia, acute liver failure, and more, showcasing its expertise in treating diverse medical needs.

How has the collaboration with UCHealth affected waitlist times?

The collaboration with UCHealth has significantly reduced waitlist times to less than two months, compared to the national average of eight months.

What are future goals for the Liver Transplant Program?

The program aims to broaden its impact on pediatric healthcare and innovate in techniques to save more children's lives.

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