A liver transplant is a significant surgery that saves lives by replacing a damaged or diseased liver with a healthy one from a donor. It is most typically suggested for those who have end-stage liver disease, abrupt liver failure, or some kinds of liver cancer. A liver transplant can give you a second chance at life when other therapies stop working. It can also improve your quality of life and your chances of surviving.
People who have advanced liver diseases such cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or C, liver failure caused by alcohol, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may be able to get a liver transplant. It is also used when the liver fails suddenly because of an infection, a drug reaction, or toxins. People who have early-stage liver cancer may also be able to get it. Before suggesting surgery, the patient has to go through a full evaluation that involves medical tests, imaging, and a psychological assessment to see if they are a good candidate for transplant and long-term care.
There are two primary types of liver transplants. One includes getting a whole liver from a recently deceased person, and the other involves getting a part of a liver from a living person, usually a close family member or a compatible volunteer. The liver can grow back on its own over time in both circumstances, which makes the treatment safe and effective for both the donor and the receiver. Your medical team will choose the best choice based on how serious your disease is and whether there is a donor who is a good match.
The surgery to transplant a liver is done under general anesthesia and can take anywhere from six to twelve hours, depending on how complicated the situation is. The sick liver is carefully taken out during the surgery and replaced with a healthy liver or liver part from a donor. Surgeons reconnect all of the liver's major blood vessels and bile ducts to bring the liver back to normal function. The patient is closely watched in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a few days after surgery, and then they continue in the hospital for a few more days to make sure they are recovering properly.
Recovery from a liver transplant is gradual but steady. Patients are required to take immunosuppressive medications to prevent their body from rejecting the new organ. With proper medical care, a healthy lifestyle, and regular follow-ups, most patients can return to daily activities within two to three months. Long-term outcomes are positive, and many people go on to live full, active, and healthy lives after their transplant.
A very skilled group of hepatologists, transplant surgeons, anaesthetists, and specialised nurses at our centre do liver transplants. We help with everything, from counselling before surgery and coordinating donors to rehabilitation after surgery and long-term follow-up care. We make sure that every patient has the best possible outcome from their transplant journey by providing innovative operating rooms, ICU assistance, and a commitment to caring for them.
Cost of Liver Transplant Surgery