Liver Transplant
Currently, 60-80 liver transplantations are performed each year at the University of Alberta 10-20% being pediatric. In addition we have a large and well running living-related liver transplantation program that contributes significantly to this volume.
Program Structure
Fellowship time is divided between academic and clinical duties. 50% of the fellow's time is protected for education and training in liver transplantation anesthesia, research, teaching of residents and medical students. Fellows are expected to spend 50% of their time delivering anesthetic services as a staff anesthesiologist. Fellows will not be assigned to Pediatric cases unless this is a specific interest of the fellowship. Fellows will be expected to participate in the weekend and night call roster as part of their clinical responsibilities.
The hepatobiliary service is busy and success within the liver transplantation fellowship is directly related to the individual's ability to be involved in as many transplants as possible and every scheduling effort is made to ensure maximum participation. Transplant cases will be done with one of four anesthesiologists who currently provide care for these patients. The small group size ensures familiarity and we find that fellows make rapid progress and transition quickly to providing the majority of care in an independent practice like environment. The success of the fellowship depends a great deal on the initiative of the individual fellow.
Involvement in research is expected. Research opportunities with respect to case review and other specific applications within liver transplantation e.g. the preemptive intraoperative use of CVVHD, will be strongly supported. Presentation of the research project at the annual spring research day is expected.
The opportunity for a one month exposure to basic intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE, TOE) under the supervision of the Cardiac Anesthesia group MAY be offered. This is dependent on the fellow's clinical progress, commitment to undertake extra self directed echocardiography theory preparation and either sitting the US National board of Echocardiography Basic PTE exam or enrolling for the University of Melbourne's Post Graduate Certificate (or Diploma) in Clinical Ultrasound.