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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement today (November 27):
An aged 46 years male patient passed away in QEH on October 26, 2007 after intensive therapy for a few days due to fallen from height. Doctors noted the unremarkable condition of the patient's liver and both kidneys from the result of his CT examinations taken during hospitalization, and were aware of a 1.4cm diameter lung nodule which was considered benign. The organ donation appeal was conveyed to the deceased relatives after considering the established organ donation checklist and the related risk assessment. Relatives' consent was obtained after thorough discussion and hospitals concerned were informed of the available organs for transplant operations.
The organ transplantations were performed on October 27, 2007 at Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) and QEH. The liver graft was separately transplanted to a 7-month years old boy and an aged 59 years female patient at QMH while both kidneys were transplanted at QEH to two female renal patients - aged 50 years QEH patient and a 30 years old patient of United Christian Hospital. The related clinical checklist, recipientsˇ¦ conditions and overall risk assessment were considered before the transplantations were performed according to the established organ donation guidelines. Explanation to patients and relatives and consent was obtained for the operations. The transplantations were smoothly done and the patients concerned were stable. Three patients were discharged while the 59 years old female patient is still hospitalizing at QMH.
On November 23, 2007, the result of tissue examination subsequent to the previous postmortem of the deceased showed the lung nodule was at early stage of lympho-epithelioma-like-carcinoma which was a rare type. Risk assessment was immediately conducted and hospitals concerned were informed. Arrangement has been made to meet the recipients and the deceasedˇ¦s relatives for detailed explanation including the risk of recipients getting cancer diseases and related treatment plans. All of the four patients are now in stable condition, and they are under close monitoring and active follow ups.
The organ transplantations in public hospitals are obliged to comply with the established organ donation guidelines, including the considering factors of recipientˇ¦s clinical condition and due operation urgency, for instance the above liver case were at the critical stage of life and the time limitation of organs sustaining functions also among the considering factors. Consents for operations were obtained from all involved parties after clear and detailed explanation. According to the local experience of organ transplantations, the chance of organ recipient getting cancer disease owing to the transplanted organ is very rare.
Hospital Authority would like to convey its appreciation again to the donating family for their meaningful act in supporting organ donation which continues the lives of needed patients.
Ends/Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:51
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