Sign up with GoogleSingapore - A 58-year-old Singaporean pastor has undergone a simultaneous heart and liver transplant, the first time such an operation has been carried out in Asia, doctors said on Friday.
The 13-hour surgery, which took place two weeks ago at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), was needed to treat a rare genetic condition affecting Lau Chin Kwee, his doctors told a press conference.
"Things are looking good. He is doing as well as he can be," said Tan Chee Kiat, director of the liver transplant programme at the state-run hospital.
Lau suffers from a condition known as Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy, in which a gene mutation causes the liver to produce abnormal proteins that affect the nerves.
Eventually, the liver will no longer function properly.
Further tests showed the pastor's heart had also been affected by the same genetic condition, the doctors said.
Tan said there was no cure for the disease except for a transplant.
More than a dozen surgeons, nurses and anaesthesiologists were on hand for the operation.
Lau, who spoke to the media via webcam from his ward, said he was thankful to be given a chance to live.
"I have nobody to speak to except my God, so first words must be thanksgiving and praises but I am certainly very, very thankful to be able to wake up from this side of life instead of beyond," said Lau.
"The gift of life is really a miracle."
What an amazing story!! How far we have come in the field of medicine is just something that i'm in awe of time and time again.
The 13-hour surgery, which took place two weeks ago at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), was needed to treat a rare genetic condition affecting Lau Chin Kwee, his doctors told a press conference.
"Things are looking good. He is doing as well as he can be," said Tan Chee Kiat, director of the liver transplant programme at the state-run hospital.
Lau suffers from a condition known as Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy, in which a gene mutation causes the liver to produce abnormal proteins that affect the nerves.
Eventually, the liver will no longer function properly.
Further tests showed the pastor's heart had also been affected by the same genetic condition, the doctors said.
Tan said there was no cure for the disease except for a transplant.
More than a dozen surgeons, nurses and anaesthesiologists were on hand for the operation.
Lau, who spoke to the media via webcam from his ward, said he was thankful to be given a chance to live.
"I have nobody to speak to except my God, so first words must be thanksgiving and praises but I am certainly very, very thankful to be able to wake up from this side of life instead of beyond," said Lau.
"The gift of life is really a miracle."
What an amazing story!! How far we have come in the field of medicine is just something that i'm in awe of time and time again.
