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University Hospital in Newark, the well-established academic medical center and the Level 1 Trauma Center for Northern New Jersey, is also one of only a handful of hospitals in America where liver transplants are performed.

Recently, University Hospital marked its 1,500th liver transplant since the Center for Advanced Liver Diseases and Transplantation opened in 1989. The facility is the first liver transplant center in New Jersey and one of only 61 nationally.

In July, Optum’s Clinical Sciences Institute announced that University Hospital’s Center for Advanced Liver Diseases and Transplantation was selected as a member of Optum’s Center of Excellence network.

This distinction means that Optum is now directing its patients in New Jersey and the region to University Hospital for liver transplant procedures.

“We achieved this status ahead of schedule and are confident that our outcome reports and stellar track record will firmly place us among the outstanding transplant centers in the country,” said Shereef Elnahal, president and CEO of University Hospital. “The liver transplant team at University Hospital is among the most qualified in the nation and our patients are realizing the long-term health benefits and convenience of a nationally recognized transplant program close to home.”

Situated above and to the left of the stomach and below the lungs, the liver is the largest and heaviest organ in the body except skin. The major functions of the liver include helping the small intestine break down and absorb fats, cholesterol and some vitamins, making them easier to digest and be absorbed by the body. In addition, the liver stores carbohydrates, breaking them down into sugars and sending them into the bloodstream to maintain normal glucose levels.

Despite University Hospital’s well-established transplant program, liver transplants are generally uncommon, and only recommended in urgent cases where a person has end-stage liver disease and would die without the procedure or conventional treatments are ineffective. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, 8,896 liver transplants were performed last year nationally. University Hospital averages one transplant a week, all from deceased donors.

Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common reason why adults may need a liver transplant, followed closely by liver cancer. Cirrhosis can be caused by alcohol abuse or Hepatitis types B or C, among other causes. But, in recent years, a new category of transplant candidates has emerged on University Hospital’s liver waiting list – individuals with diabetes, high cholesterol or obesity whose livers have been damaged by fatty deposits.

“Patients accumulate so much fat in their liver that, after a certain point, it has the same effect of damaging the liver that alcohol does,” said Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, medical director of the program at University Hospital. “Transplantation is usually the best course of action in these cases, where patients have developed cirrhosis and decompensation.”

University Hospital has focused its efforts in transplants for New Jersey residents in recent years, but, according to Dr. James Guarrera, program director of Liver Transplantation at University Hospital, “we will treat anyone and everyone who seeks us out for care, regardless of where they live.”

In addition to transplant operations, University Hospital’s Center for Advanced Liver Diseases and Transplantation provides a comprehensive pioneering multi-disciplinary approach for treatment of complex liver disorders, including Hepatitis B and C, bile duct and gall bladder abnormalities, fatty liver disease, liver masses, cancer, and portal hypertension, among others.

But it is liver transplantation that sets University Hospital apart. Along those lines, Guarrera usually encourages patients to stay within a reasonable distance of University Hospital, usually within 10 hours travel, when it comes time for transplant.

We are thankful for the organ donors and their families for the gift of life that made reaching the milestone of 1,500 transplants possible for our patients.
— Dr. James Guarrera, program director of Liver Transplantation at University Hospital

Technology may allow University Hospital to extend that reach. Late in 2019, the hospital performed the successful transplantation of a donated liver preserved by portable hypothermic machine perfusion, a first in the State of New Jersey. This new device allows University Hospital to keep organs viable longer and allows them to be preserved for the best patient match possible.

“There is a very short window of time for a surgeon to safely recover a donated organ, determine its quality and viability, and then successfully transplant it into a patient. Every second counts. Having new technology to potentially expand that crucial timeframe can be a determining factor in conducting a successful transplantation operation,” said Guarrera. “I’m grateful for the support of the hospital and our team that allows us to focus on incorporating new technology and advancements that improves the quality and safety of our work and the long-term outcomes for our patients.”

University Hospital has earned the trust of partners, including the NJ Sharing Network, a nonprofit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for those in need across the state. By working in close partnership with hospitals and transplant centers, the number of organs recovered in New Jersey for transplants has quadrupled in recent years.

“We are thankful for the organ donors and their families for the gift of life that made reaching the milestone of 1,500 transplants possible for our patients,” Guarrera said. “We look forward to continuing our engagement with the regional community around the life-saving benefits of transplantation and the importance of organ donation.”

“1,500 successful liver transplants is a testament to the incredible work done by our dedicated team,” concluded Pyrsopoulos. “Moving forward, we remain committed to providing high-quality care to all of our patients, while implementing innovative procedures that enhances our work and improves the quality of life for each patient.”

Dr.William Holubek is chief medical officer at University Hospital.