Long-Term Care of the Liver Transplant Recipient

Decades of advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppression regimens afford the liver transplant recipient increased longevity. Many of the metabolic derangements managed in the liver transplant recipient will require pharmacologic intervention; however, the importance of minimizing immunosuppression, if feasible, combined with a healthy lifestyle cannot be over emphasized. One of the goals of liver transplantation in addition to prolonging survival is to improve the recipient's quality of life (QoL). Assessments of QoL, mood, and screening for mental health issues should be routinely performed. The concept of survivorship, initially adopted in the world of oncology, highlights a more holistic approach to the liver transplant recipient with an emphasis on psychological, social, and spiritual well-being along with the medical management.42 In addition to ongoing efforts to further improve graft survival and improve the longevity of liver transplant recipients, further research exploring transplant survivorship domains will also ensure improved outcomes and overall success.42