Former Northern Ireland great George Best could be moved out of intensive care and into a specialist liver ward today if he continues to recover quickly from his transplant operation. Doctors last night said the former Manchester United star was in 'excellent form' as he recovered from his life-saving eight-hour surgery on Wednesday. He remained in intensive care at the Cromwell Hospital, west London, but has been taken off a ventilator and has uttered his first words since the operation.
Doctors said 56-year-old Best could be moved to a specialist liver ward as early as today. Consultant physician Professor Roger Williams said Best was improving and was in 'excellent form'. He confirmed: "He recognised me and said 'Hello'. We are taking it day by day, but he's doing incredibly well."
Professor Williams said over the next 24 to 48 hours Best would be watched very carefully, adding that rejection of the liver should not be a major problem but could still occur. Patients usually spend another seven to 14 days in hospital after a liver transplant operation.
It is believed Best would have survived about three to 12 months without the liver transplant and had been waiting about seven to eight months for a suitable liver.
Filed by Shane Murray
