The medical Team at Shanghai's Renji Hospital performs a liver transplant surgery on the Malaysian girl. [Photo/Shanghai Renji Hospital]

A 20-month-old baby girl from Malacca, Malaysia, has undergone a life-changing liver transplant in Shanghai, China, after battling jaundice since birth.

Initially diagnosed with biliary atresia in Malaysia, the girl, known by her nickname Kaila, underwent a Kasai a surgical procedure shortly after she was born. This procedure aimed at improving bile flow by connecting her small intestine to her liver's portal area.

However, despite the procedure, Kaila's health did not improve, and her condition deteriorated, prompting experts from the Liver Specialist Department of the University of Malaya's Medical Centre to recommend an urgent liver transplant to save her life.

Seeking assistance, the family turned to Renji Hospital, which is affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University's School of Medicine. The Shanghai hospital, known for its exceptional liver transplant program, has successfully completed over 3,400 pediatric liver transplant surgeries with a remarkable five-year post-operation survival rate of 94 percent, surpassing international standards.

Led by Professor Xia Qiang, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the head of the Liver Surgery Department at Renji Hospital, the expert team confirmed the feasibility of a partial liver donation from her mother and assisted Kaila's family through the necessary ethical approvals, visas, and other procedures.

In an effort to raise funds for the surgery, Kaila's family initiated a donation campaign through Malaysian media, drawing support from the Malaysian Prime Minister himself.

The transplant surgeries were performed successfully on April 26. After two weeks of comprehensive treatment, Kaila made a complete recovery. She has since reunited with her family and returned home to Malaysia.

According to Renji Hospital, prior to this operation, their liver surgery team had assisted in completing four live liver transplants at the University of Malaya Medical Centre and also helped the hospital establish a specialized pediatric liver transplant team. The two hospitals have since embarked on a strategic partnership, with Renji Hospital providing training to medical personnel from the University of Malaya Medical Centre.

Source: ThePaper.cn