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Can You Advise Me On The Risks Of Partner Suffers From Liver Cirrhosis To Travel?
Question: My partner suffers from liver cirrhosis and suddenly, about 3 weeks ago, he developed ascites in the belly and swollen legs. His doctor advised a paracentesis, but my partner refuses to do it. We have planned to travel in one week from now, by airplane. He does not have breathing problems, but I am worried at the perspective of flying. Can you advise me on the risks of such a travel? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Hi,
Detailed Answer:
I think, his doctor is right in advising him for paracentesis. Apart from diagnostic aid, it also helps in reducing his discomfort to some extent, at least temporarily. In his case, as he has developed symptoms of ascites as well as swollen legs in just 3 weeks. With this speed, his ascites may be more & it may cause pressure on his lungs, causing some what more difficulty in his breathing & more so, a more probability during flight due to less concentration of oxygen at height.
Also, presence of edema of legs with ascites is also one of the indicator, not good & denotes a more speedy gradation of his symptoms.
Not going on the treatment part & prognostic evaluation, I will like to go to your query & in my opinion, paracentesis seems definitely a better option before going on a flight.
However, his treating doctor is definitely a best judge in this regards. Hope, it answers to your query.
Hi,
Detailed Answer:
I think, his doctor is right in advising him for paracentesis. Apart from diagnostic aid, it also helps in reducing his discomfort to some extent, at least temporarily. In his case, as he has developed symptoms of ascites as well as swollen legs in just 3 weeks. With this speed, his ascites may be more & it may cause pressure on his lungs, causing some what more difficulty in his breathing & more so, a more probability during flight due to less concentration of oxygen at height.
Also, presence of edema of legs with ascites is also one of the indicator, not good & denotes a more speedy gradation of his symptoms.
Not going on the treatment part & prognostic evaluation, I will like to go to your query & in my opinion, paracentesis seems definitely a better option before going on a flight.
However, his treating doctor is definitely a best judge in this regards. Hope, it answers to your query.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Saisudha Kotla
My partner is having a paracentesis today. Once the liquid is taken out, are there any other risks associated with him travelling with his condition of decompensated liver?
Brief Answer:
Hi,
Detailed Answer:
More or less, paracentesis is a safe procedure. Apart from some immediate ill effects like bleeding, incomplete drainage or hypotension due to drainage of large amount of fluid etc. in very rare cases, the procedure of paracentesis has no complication itself. Of course, the disease, itself may have its own course. Definitely, recurrent ascites may be there, due to disease process itself.
In my opinion, besides, the course of disease itself, this procedure should not have any ill effect during the flight. Therefore, I am of the opinion, that paracentesis, should not be a reason to defer/ postpone your plan to fly.
However, to emphasize, best judge, will be your doctor, who will asess the condition of your partner after the procedure of paracentesis. Hope, that it resolves your query.
Hi,
Detailed Answer:
More or less, paracentesis is a safe procedure. Apart from some immediate ill effects like bleeding, incomplete drainage or hypotension due to drainage of large amount of fluid etc. in very rare cases, the procedure of paracentesis has no complication itself. Of course, the disease, itself may have its own course. Definitely, recurrent ascites may be there, due to disease process itself.
In my opinion, besides, the course of disease itself, this procedure should not have any ill effect during the flight. Therefore, I am of the opinion, that paracentesis, should not be a reason to defer/ postpone your plan to fly.
However, to emphasize, best judge, will be your doctor, who will asess the condition of your partner after the procedure of paracentesis. Hope, that it resolves your query.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T
Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, our doctor is unavailable for the moment, we will be able to speak to him in some days. May I please ask you to give me a more detailed answer to my question, i.e., if my partner can travel (part of the trip is by plane and - one 2 hours segment and on 1 hour segment and a second part is by car - around one hour) after the drainage of the fluid in his abdomen (the quantity is not enormous) but still with a condition of decompensated liver?
Brief Answer:
Suggestions
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is really hard to predict a definite outcome in these cases, as every patient is different in its disease condition & response. Still, in my opinion, if your partner has no breathing difficulty or air-sickness, then usually there should not be any complication due to paracentesis, if he takes 2-3 hour flight followed by a car journey of 1-2 hours or so.Still, again to emphasize, it is always better to consult a doctor, about the general condition of the patient before starting the journey.
Suggestions
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is really hard to predict a definite outcome in these cases, as every patient is different in its disease condition & response. Still, in my opinion, if your partner has no breathing difficulty or air-sickness, then usually there should not be any complication due to paracentesis, if he takes 2-3 hour flight followed by a car journey of 1-2 hours or so.Still, again to emphasize, it is always better to consult a doctor, about the general condition of the patient before starting the journey.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T
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