VIDEO: GIs should maintain ‘open communication’ with transplant centers

CHICAGO — In this exclusive video from the NASPGHAN 2019, Elizabeth Rand, MD, from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, discusses pediatric liver transplant care for the gastroenterologist.

“This is an important topic because many gastroenterologists who don’t practice at liver transplant centers have liver transplant recipients in their general care and it’s important for them to know the care they can provide for their own patients,” Rand told Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease.

Rand explained that long-term complications of liver transplant include side effects of immunosuppression, strictures of blood vessels or bile ducts, and adhesions of the graft. Transplant recipients will also have standard gastroenterology complaints including constipation and abdominal pain.

“Gastroenterologists should feel confident performing a general GI assessment ... and maintain open communication and collaborative care with the transplant center for the best long-term outcomes,” she said.

Reference: Rand E. Care of liver transplant recipients for the gastroenterologist. Presented at: NASPGHAN 2019; October 17-29, 2019; Chicago.

Disclosure: Rand reports no relevant financial disclosures.