Porphyria Experts in Action

Surgery and the use of anesthesia require special considerations for patients with acute hepatic porphyrias (AIP, VP and HCP). Learn more about the recommended precautions for the period before, during and after an operation for patients with AHP. 

Question: I am having a planned laparoscopic surgery next week.  Should there be a filter on the light on the laparoscope?  If so, would you be able to tell me what filter would need to be used?  Can you also tell me what filters would be needed for the surgery lights in the operating room?

"You have to figure it out for your own body and trust that you know your body better than anybody else. I think that's where having a community of other patients and patient advocates is important because it can give you that confidence, security, friendship, and empathy that you're doing what's right for you."

From chronic pain, impacts on mental health, limitations to employment, the POWER study captures the realities of living with acute hepatic porphyria from patients around the world.
 

Question: If you have acute porphyria, why is it important to have your liver function checked annually? What can you do to prevent issues with your liver?

"It’s been really eye-opening to see how important patient involvement is in rare disease.  Patients can drive the field, move the field. Rare diseases like porphyria are very life-altering. Patients have an important role in how the regulatory agencies and how physicians are looking at the disease and what the outcomes are."

Liver dysfunction is a rare but very real possibility for people with EPP and XLP. These guidelines provide recommendations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of liver-related dysfunction in protoporphyrias (EPP and XLP).

"My connection to porphyria is a bit more personal than a lot of other researchers.  I have EPP porphyria."