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‘Better half’: Ahmedabad woman gives half her liver to husband

Sunil Patel, a patient of cryptogenic cirrhosis, was advised to undergo a liver transplant in March after developing severe complications in February of heavy water retention in stomach which also affected Patel's kidneys.

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Sunil Patel, 47 fortunately survived end stage liver disease; thanks to his wife Jigna Patel, 46 who donated half of her live to cure the ailing husband. In a rare case of live liver transplant which was first of its kind in the state, a team of 7 surgeons, 18 consultants of various faculties and about 16 para medics assisted the Patel couple for a smooth recovery and performed one of the most complex 18 hours surgeries at Apollo Hospitals in Gandhinagar on July 16.

Sunil Patel, a patient of cryptogenic cirrhosis, was advised to undergo a liver transplant in March after developing severe complications in February of heavy water retention in stomach which also affected Patel's kidneys.

His life expectancy had extremely shortened due to the disease and still it was not sure whether he would be able to procure a befitting liver from a cadaver soon. "As I learnt that the liver cadaver scenario is quite tough, I felt an inner urge to check whether I can donate my organ to cure my life partner," said Jigna, the spouse of ailing Patel.

Later, after a series of tests and long briefing sessions as well as video sessions a team of experts ascertained that they both have B+ blood group and their liver biology matches. Most importantly Jigna desired to donate the organ on her own — which made the entire liver transplant program possible.
According to Hindu mythology, husband is worshipped as a God and is looked upon a saviour of the wife. However in Patel's case it proved to be otherwise. "My wife is my saviour and hence she is my God," said an overwhelmed Patel who could attend a media briefing barely after 20-days of undergoing this complex transplant. 

Patel couple have to continue medication for a complete recovery. "While the donor would have to temporarily take multi-vitamin supplements to boost the growth of her liver, Patel — the recipient would have to permanently continue immune-depressant drugs so that his body doesn't reject the new liver tissues.

With this, he has to change his lifestyle and food habits as per the doctor's advice which can increase his life expectancy to about more 20 years after this transplant," informed Dr. Chirag Desai, Chief liver transplant surgeon.

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