What is the survival time for the first liver transplant patient?

The survival time for the first liver transplant patient is indeed noted as a few days. This historical case is significant because it marked a major milestone in the field of organ transplantation. The first successful liver transplantation occurred in 1963 when Dr. Thomas Starzl performed the procedure on a patient named 2-year-old Colleen. Unfortunately, she survived only about 18 months after the surgery, but this highlighted the challenges associated with the complexities of transplant surgery, including organ rejection and the need for advanced post-operative care.

In this context, although Colleen lived for a longer period than just a few days, the immediate post-operative survival was notably short as patients in those early days often faced significant challenges. This case spurred further research and advancements in transplantation techniques and immunosuppression strategies that have since improved patient outcomes dramatically. The historical significance emphasizes the beginning of a new era in medicine, paving the way for the development of liver transplant procedures that are far more successful today.