Complications in bone marrow transplants
Patients who undergo bone marrow transplant may experience complications, which are avoided with proper post-operation care and medications. Major complications include infection, veno-occlusive disease, mucositis, and graft-versus-host disease.
Patients undergo chemotherapy to destroy the patient’s existing white blood cells for a period prior to the operation. The patient loses his immune system’s ability to fight infections, even childhood diseases like measles and polio. Antibiotics and vaccines are given to the patient to fight off these infections.
Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a severe liver injury resulting from the narrowing of blood vessels leading to the liver. Anticoagulants may be given to the patient to improve blood flow, but increases the risk of bleeding.