Liver transplant

What is Liver Transplant Surgery?

Liver transplant, also known as hepatic transplantation, is a surgical procedure in which a diseased or damaged liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a deceased or living donor. The liver is a vital organ that performs several crucial functions, including detoxifying the blood, producing bile for digestion, and storing essential nutrients.

benefits of liver transplant;

• Life-Saving Treatment: Liver transplant is a life-saving procedure for individuals with end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure, or certain liver cancers. It provides a chance at renewed life and improved overall health for patients facing terminal conditions.

• Resolution of Symptoms: Liver diseases can lead to symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and swelling. A successful transplant can alleviate these symptoms, allowing patients to regain their energy and quality of life.

• Improved Long-Term Survival: A successful liver transplant can significantly increase the patient's chances of long-term survival. Many recipients go on to lead full and productive lives for years after the procedure.

• Restoration of Normal Liver Function: The transplanted liver takes over the functions of the damaged liver, which includes detoxifying the blood, producing important proteins, and aiding in digestion. 

• Recovery from Liver Cancer: Liver transplant can be an effective treatment for certain types of liver cancers that haven't spread beyond the liver. The procedure not only removes the cancerous organ but also provides a healthy replacement.

What are the top 5 Transplant Surgery hospitals in India?

• Manipal Hospitals

• Max Hospital

• Apollo Hospital

• Fortis Hospital

• Artemis Hospital

Pre-Transplant

• • Evaluation: The patient undergoes a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine their eligibility for a liver transplant. This evaluation includes assessing the severity of liver disease, overall health, and any other medical conditions that may affect the transplant's success.

  • Donor Selection: For deceased donor liver transplants, the patient is placed on a waiting list maintained by a national transplant registry. For living donor liver transplants, a suitable living donor, usually a family member or close friend, is evaluated for compatibility.

  • Transplant Team: A multidisciplinary team of transplant specialists, including hepatologists, transplant surgeons, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals, work together to manage the patient's care and prepare for the transplant.

Transplant Procedure

• • Anesthesia: The patient is given general anesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and pain-free during the procedure.

  • Donor Liver Removal: For deceased donor liver transplants, the donor liver is retrieved from a deceased donor who has previously consented to organ donation. For living donor liver transplants, a portion of the donor's healthy liver is removed for transplantation.

  • Implantation: The donor liver is carefully implanted into the recipient's abdominal cavity and connected to blood vessels and bile ducts.

  • Blood Flow Restoration: The surgeon ensures that blood flow to and from the new liver is functioning correctly.

Post-Transplant

• • Recovery: After the transplant, the patient is closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) and later in a specialized transplant unit.

  • Immunosuppression: Patients receive immunosuppressive medications to prevent the body from rejecting the new liver. These medications suppress the immune system, which may lead to an increased risk of infections.

  • Hospital Stay: The length of hospital stay varies depending on the patient's condition and the success of the transplant.

  • Long-Term Follow-Up: Patients require ongoing follow-up care to monitor the function of the transplanted liver, manage potential complications, and ensure proper immunosuppressive medication dosing.