A Perfect Match, 200 Times
To the transplant team at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Feb. 21 marked a milestone: 200 living-donor liver transplants performed. To 5-year-old Adleigh Bice, though, Feb. 21 marked a new beginning.
The Bice family traveled to Pittsburgh from Montevallo, Alabama, to receive life-saving care for Adleigh, diagnosed at birth with biliary atresia, a condition that can lead to liver failure and that often requires a transplant.
Her mother, Haley, is a nurse and knew a living donor liver transplantation was the best option for Adleigh. It meant Adleigh wouldn't have to be placed on the waiting list, and it offered the opportunity to transplant her earlier when she was healthier.
Haley was a perfect match and the procedure was completed on Feb. 21.
"The benefits definitely outweighed the risks," Haley said. "I was so scared and nervous, but now I'm thankful that we have it behind us and we can move forward with life."
"I just did what any mom would do."
Both Haley and Adleigh recovered well, and the family is excited to return home to Alabama soon after their lifesaving experience in Pittsburgh.
200 and Counting
"This milestone represents the significant impact of living donation and what we can provide to so many families that are in need of this specialty care," said George Mazariegos, MD, chief of pediatric transplantation at UPMC Children's. "I am honored to have been involved in each one of those transplants, all truly unique and we are thrilled to celebrate each one."
UPMC Children's is a leading center for pediatric liver transplants. The team has performed more living-donor liver transplants than any other pediatric transplant center in the United States.
"The collaboration of our transplant teams, both on the pediatric side and the adult side, makes these procedures go seamlessly," Dr. Mazariegos added. "We are honored to provide the best possible care and make transplant a life-saving treatment for patients and their families."
Spotlight on Living-Donor Transplant
National, regional and local media covered this transplant milestone, including:
Learn more about living donor liver transplantation at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.