Liver Transplant in India

Liver transplant surgery is used to remove a damaged or failed liver that no longer functions properly and replace it with a healthy liver.

The largest internal organ, the liver, is crucial in processing nutrients, medications, and hormones. It also produces bile, which aids in absorbing fats, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins.

This treatment is an option for individuals with significant complications due to end-stage chronic liver disease or sudden liver failure.

Here, you will find information about liver transplant surgery, including its essential factors and the step-by-step procedure. But first, let's start with a brief overview of why liver transplants are performed and who they are for.

Why Liver Transplant is Performed?

A liver transplant procedure is performed to treat people with liver cancer or liver failure, which can not be treated with other treatments.

Liver failure might happen suddenly or for a long time. However, a liver transplant may treat acute liver failure.

How is a Liver Transplant performed?

A liver transplant is performed to treat liver failure or any chronic liver disease that can't be treated with other methods. Now, here is the procedure of how a liver transplant surgery is processed:

Before the Surgery

• Before proceeding with the transplant, our medical team will conduct a series of comprehensive tests. 
• These tests are designed to assess the severity of your condition, the urgency of the transplant, and your position on the waiting list. 
• This thorough evaluation process ensures that the transplant is carried out at the most appropriate time.
• The waiting list contains a scoring system with a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease MELF for adults and Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease for children above 12.
• To determine the score, doctors will use a specific formula, ranging from 6 to 40, describing the estimated risk of death within 90 days without transplant.
• Liver conditions such as liver cancer might not get a high MELD score (should be treated urgently).
• In addition, adults with acute liver failure will be placed higher on a waiting list due to the severity of the disease.

 During the Surgery

• You will be asked to come to the hospital immediately if the liver donor is available.
• You will be admitted to the hospital immediately, and they will ensure that you are healthy enough for the surgery.
• You will get general anesthesia so that you won't feel pain during the surgery.
• The surgeon will make a long incision on the abdomen to get access to the liver.
• Then, the surgeon will remove the diseased part of the liver and place the new donor liver in your body, and they will connect blood vessels and bile ducts to the donor liver.
• The surgery takes 12 hours to complete, depending on your situation.
• Once the liver is planted, the surgeon will use stitches and staples to close the surgical site.
• After this, you will be taken to the intensive care unit to begin recovery.

After the Surgery

• After the surgery, our dedicated team of doctors and nurses will closely monitor your condition. 
• This ensures that you do not develop infections and that your new liver functions properly. Attentive care is a crucial part of your recovery process.
• Also, examine if your liver function is working or not.
• You will be asked to stay 5 to 10 days in the hospital, and once you are stable, you will be taken to the transplant recovery area.
• The transplant team will prepare your checkup schedule, and you may undergo blood tests a few times each week.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

• Blood Test: These tests are processes to find a suitable donor match for the transplant, access your priority on the waiting list, and also make sure that your body doesn’t reject the donor's liver.
• Diagnostic Test: This will help recognize your liver and general health, including X-rays, ultrasounds, liver biopsy, heart and lung tests, colonoscopies, and mental health tests. In addition, women undergo pap tests, gynecology exams, and mammograms.

Who are the Candidates for Liver Transplant?

• Individuals with decompensated cirrhosis, which is also called decompensated end-stage liver disease.
• Individuals with sudden liver failure.

There are other liver illnesses where transplantation is offered which include:

Polycystic liver disease, where the patient’s liver gets enlarged and it can be treated with liver transplant surgery.

In addition, when patients have symptoms such as severe itch or confusion (encephalopathy) which is not responding to standard treatments, liver transplant surgery is offered.

Individuals with liver illness such as:

• Hepatitis C.
• Hepatitis B.
• Alcoholic liver disease.
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or fatty liver disease.
• Primary liver cancers.
• Primary biliary cirrhosis.
• Autoimmune hepatitis.
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis.

List of Hospitals for Liver Transplant Surgery

• Medanta - The Medicity Hospital
• BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital
• Rela Hospital Chennai
• Indraprastha Apollo Hospital
• Artemis Hospital
• Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
• Manipal Hospital Dwarka
• Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket
• MGM Healthcare
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute

List of Doctors for Liver Transplant Surgery

• Dr. Mohamed Rela
• Dr. Prof Subhash Gupta
• Dr. Anil Vaidya
• Dr. Vivek Vij
• Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary
• Dr. Arvinder Singh Soin
• Dr Murugan N
• Dr. Shailendra Lalwani
• Dr. Neerav Goyal
• Dr. Giriraj Bora

Complications 

• Bile duct complications,
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Failure of the donated liver
• Infection
• Rejection of the donated liver
• Mental confusion or seizures

Conclusion 

Liver transplant surgery is performed to treat severe liver cancer or liver failure that needs to be treated before it worsens. The patient undergoes several tests to determine the condition and blood samples to get the perfect match for the transplant and then the transplant will be done by the surgeons.

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Aryan Malhotra

Dr. Aryan Malhotra is a highly respected and compassionate medical professional with a strong academic background. He holds an MBBS and MD degree from DTMU University in Georgia. Driven by a deep sense of duty, he is dedicated to providing exceptional care to his patients.