Seoul Asan Hospital Saves 23-Year-Old Filipino Man with Liver Transplant

The liver transplant team at Seoul Asan Hospital has successfully saved the life of a 23-year-old Filipino man, Franz Aren Babao Reyes, who was on the brink of death due to a chronic bile duct disease. Reyes had been suffering from Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a rare condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the bile ducts, for the past four years. His condition worsened recently, leading to sepsis and hospitalization in the intensive care unit. A liver transplant was deemed the only viable treatment option.

Reyes's mother, Maria Lorena Mendoza Babao, agreed to donate a portion of her liver, but her own health was compromised due to past injuries, making the surgery particularly risky. The hospital in Makati, Philippines, where they were being treated, reached out to Seoul Asan Hospital, known for its extensive experience in liver transplants.

On June 18, the transplant team at Seoul Asan Hospital performed an 11-hour surgery in the Philippines, successfully completing the liver transplant. Reyes's mother was discharged just five days post-surgery, and Reyes is expected to be released this week. Expressing his gratitude, Reyes stated, "Hearing that I would be operated on by the best hospital in the world for liver transplants gave me hope for the first time. I sincerely thank Korea." Professor Kim Ki-hoon, who led the surgery, emphasized the team's commitment to saving lives as their primary mission.