Vanderbilt University Medical Centeris an established leader in transplantation in the United States, having recently performed 3,000 transplants.th Liver transplant.
The surgery was a milestone for the hospital, but also the answer to many prayers for the pediatric patients and their families.
“I'm very grateful to the hospital because they did everything they could for my daughter,” Maria Solorzano said through an interpreter. “Due to the stage of her disease, she was in very critical condition. We never thought we would go through something like this. She never let her body show that she was that sick. I didn’t.”
Jimena Lopez, 13, of Atlanta, underwent a groundbreaking liver transplant on July 17th. A few weeks earlier, she had been diagnosed with Wilson's disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes too much copper to build up in the body. The disease, which affects 1 in 30,000 people in the United States, typically causes weakness, abdominal pain, jaundice, decreased coordination, and swelling.
“I didn't know she had Wilson's disease,” Solorzano said. “We took her to the hospital because we noticed she started feeling bloated, stopped eating, started losing weight, her ankles started to swell, and her eyes were yellow.
“I learned that patients with advanced disease like hers have a lot of pain. She never complained or had any symptoms. It was sudden.”
Jimena was transferred to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbiltis the nation's leading provider of pediatric organ transplants.
“We love to celebrate positive milestones, but in transplantation, I think we all feel that each patient who receives this gift of life is special,” said Vander, professor of surgery. said Joseph Magliocca, MD, director and chief of surgery at Bild Transplant Center. of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program. “It is humbling and a source of great pride for our transplant team to thank so many patients and families whose lives have been improved by the gift of organ transplantation.”
Now an eighth-grader, she's excited to get back to her normal routine of playing viola in the school orchestra and playing center back on the soccer team. She is also nearing completion of confirmation studies for the church.
“I've been given another chance,” Ximena said quietly. “My body can recover and get better. I'm looking forward to going home and playing soccer and going back to school. I also miss my family and my brother.
“After the transplant, I can see that things are much better. I'm very grateful.”
The pediatric liver transplant program began in 1991, and in 2024, 26 liver transplants have been performed. In 2023, the pediatric team will transplant 100 animals.th Liver transplants were performed, and the first living donor liver transplant was performed in 2024.
Ranked #8 in 2024, this pediatric program is dedicated to improving the health of children with liver disease.
“Our goal is to specifically meet the needs of children with complex medical needs by giving them the best chance of living a normal life through transplantation,” said Saeed, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Pediatric Solids. said Mohammad M.D. Monroe Carell Organ Transplant Center and Liver Transplant. “We are a growing program and our patient numbers are increasing.”
VUMC has long been committed to improving the health of all people with liver disease through programs that provide advanced treatments to patients with rare tumors and liver birth defects.
“The growing number of families we are able to support is consistent with this objective,” Magliocca added. “Our goal is to provide the highest quality liver transplant care and be the institution people turn to for transplant-related care.”
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