What is Liver Transplant?

A liver transplant is a surgical procedure to replace a diseased or damaged liver with a healthy one from a donor. The liver is a vital organ that performs many essential functions, including filtering toxins, producing bile, and regulating blood sugar levels.

Why is a Liver Transplant Needed?

A liver transplant is needed when a person’s liver is no longer able to function properly due to various reasons such as:

1. Liver Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver tissue due to chronic liver disease.
2. Liver Cancer: Primary liver cancer or metastatic liver cancer.
3. Acute Liver Failure: Sudden loss of liver function due to various reasons such as medication overdose or viral infections.
4. Genetic Liver Diseases: Inherited liver diseases such as Wilson’s disease or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
5. Chronic Liver Diseases: Chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Types of Liver Transplants

There are two types of liver transplants:

1. Orthotropic Liver Transplant: The most common type of liver transplant, where the diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy donor liver in the same location.
2. Heterotopic Liver Transplant: A less common type of liver transplant, where the diseased liver is left in place and a healthy donor liver is implanted in a different location.

Liver Transplant Procedure

The liver transplant procedure involves the following steps:

1. Pre-transplant evaluation: The recipient undergoes a thorough evaluation to ensure they are healthy enough for the transplant.
2. Donor selection: A suitable donor liver is selected based on blood type, tissue type, and other factors.
3. Surgery: The recipient is given general anesthesia and the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen.
4. Removal of the diseased liver: The diseased liver is removed and the blood vessels and bile ducts are disconnected.
5. Implantation of the donor liver: The donor liver is implanted and the blood vessels and bile ducts are connected.
6. Recovery: The recipient is taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring and recovery.

Tests Required Before Getting a Liver Transplant

To update previous tests, some of the diagnostic studies are performed during an evaluation. They are

• Doppler ultrasound to determine if the blood vessels to and from the liver are open.
• Pulmonary function studies to determine the lungs’ ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Echocardiogram to help evaluate the patient’s heart.
• Computed tomography which uses X-rays and a computer to generate pictures of the liver and showing its shape and size.
• Blood tests examine blood type, biochemical status of blood, clotting ability and to gauge liver function. AIDS and Hepatitis tests are also included.

For more information on Liver Transplantation criteria, please read Liver Transplant Guidelines in India

Donor for Liver Transplant

• Living-Donor:This process involves removing a segment of liver from a healthy living donor and implanting it into a recipient. Both the donor and recipient liver segments will grow to a normal size in a few weeks.
• The donor must be a blood relative or spouse. Blood type and body size are critical factors in determining an appropriate donor.

Advantages of Liver Transplant:

• Provides a chance for a longer active life.
• If the transplant is performed before the recipients’s health deteriotes then they are able to tolerate the surgery and recovers more quickly.
• The recovery can sometimes become difficult but the anti – rejection makes the process easy.
• The donors will discharge in a week and recipients in 2 to 3 weeks.

 

Post-Transplant Care

After the liver transplant, the recipient will need to follow a strict post-transplant care plan, including:

1. Immunosuppressive medications: The recipient will need to take immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection.
2. Regular follow-up appointments: The recipient will need to attend regular follow-up appointments with their healthcare provider to monitor the liver function and adjust medications as needed.
3. Dietary changes: The recipient may need to make dietary changes to ensure the liver functions properly.
4. Avoiding infections: The recipient will need to take precautions to avoid infections, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

Cost of Liver Transplant in India

The cost of liver transplant in India varies depending on several factors, including the location, hospital, surgeon, and type of transplant.