The First Vietnamese Liver Transplant at Asan Seoul Hospital
One day in September 2022, Live Again had the opportunity to meet Uncle H’s family—the first Vietnamese person to receive a liver transplant at Asan Seoul Hospital. During our conversation, Live Again not only heard about the treatment process but also felt the immense love and support of his family. Let’s listen together to how he regained his health!
“At the end of November, early December 2012, after a reception, we had a drinking competition, and I got drunk. Normally, I would sober up in 1-2 days and go back to work. But that time, after staying home for 5-6 days, I still felt extremely tired. Some friends came to visit me, and they noticed that my appearance was off. One friend called a doctor at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy to examine me. The doctor saw me and said I needed to be hospitalized immediately.
It was a Saturday, and I smiled, saying, ‘If I’m going to be hospitalized, I’ll wait until Monday. It’s not that urgent.’ But the doctor insisted I go to the hospital right away.
I was diagnosed with acute alcoholic hepatitis. After two days, I fell into a deep coma. The hospital transferred me to Cho Ray Hospital for dialysis. I only woke up two days later, but my condition worsened with multiple organ failure. The doctors were losing hope, and someone told my wife to prepare for the worst.
At that time, Asan Hospital was collaborating with Cho Ray Hospital to transfer liver transplant techniques. A group of doctors from Asan examined me and recommended that I be transferred to Asan Seoul Hospital for a liver transplant, offering a slim chance to save my life. My wife made the decision: ‘Even with just 1% hope, I’ll take him there.’ Within two days, I was on a plane to Seoul, Korea.
Thanks to the efforts of my relatives, friends, and doctors at both Vietnamese hospitals and Asan Seoul Hospital, I arrived quickly. At Incheon Airport, an ambulance was waiting to take me directly to Asan Seoul Hospital.
However, a new problem arose: Dr. Song discovered I had a lung infection from my time at Cho Ray. Before they could proceed with the liver transplant, the doctors had to treat my lungs. I spent nine days under the care of pulmonary doctors.
I thought there was no hope, but luck smiled on me again. On December 23, 2012, while everyone was preparing for Christmas, my wife and two sons hung prayers on a large pine tree in the hospital lobby, hoping for my recovery. That night, the doctors shared the good news: ‘The lungs have recovered, and the liver transplant can proceed.’
At 9 a.m. on December 25, 2012, my son and I entered the operating room. Dr. Lee was the main surgeon, performing both the transplant and removing my son’s liver. The surgery finished around 9-10 p.m., and miraculously, I woke up after 14 days in a coma. The first thing the doctor asked was to see if I recognized my wife—and luckily, I did!
After the surgery, I remained for treatment until March 2013, when I was discharged and returned to work. The next day, most of my colleagues, friends, and leaders were amazed by what they saw as a miracle.
At the time, liver transplants were rare in Vietnam, but at Asan Seoul Hospital, they had already completed over 3,000 successful transplants. I was the first Vietnamese to receive a liver transplant there.
Since then, many Vietnamese have undergone liver transplants at Asan Seoul Hospital. During the treatment process, there is a dedicated support team for Vietnamese patients at the hospital.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I haven’t been able to have regular check-ups for the past three years. However, thanks to the Vietnamese support team at Asan Seoul Hospital, I still coordinate and maintain my daily medication routine.
This upcoming Christmas 2022 will mark 10 years since my liver transplant. Through this story, I want to express my deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the International Healthcare Center, as well as the Vietnamese patient support team at Asan Seoul Hospital. I especially want to thank my two saviors, Dr. Lee Sung-Gyu and Dr. Song Gi-won.”
