8 Things you should know before going for Liver Transplant Surgery in India

Liver transplant is a surgery to remove diseased liver and replace it with a healthy one from donor. There are many different types of liver diseases like liver cancer, cirrhosis, liver failure, genetic liver diseases that leads to serious problems like loss of liver functions. Due to all these problems doctors can suggest you for liver transplant surgery.

1. When Is Liver Transplantation Surgery Required?

At the different levels when it is impossible for liver to work and it’s hard for a person to do daily activities. Some failure that leads to liver transplant are-

• Chronic Liver Failure

Chronic liver failure occurs gradually over the course of years due to excessive intake of alcohol and diseases. The final stage of scarring is cirrhosis. Once the person reaches cirrhosis level person experiences signs of poor liver functions.

• Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure is also known as fulminant hepatic failure which causes excessive blood loss and increased pressure in brain. Loss of liver functions may happen quickly in days or weeks.

2. Causes of Liver Failure

Liver has many causes due to which it fails to function, some of the causes are-

Cancer such as liver cancer, bile duct and other factors like chronic alcohol abuse, fat accumulating in the liver, cancer can be a cause of liver failure. Genetic flow of diseases from one or both the parents such as Hemachromatosis, Hyperoxaluria, Wilson’s disease, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can even cause liver failure.

• Infection:

Parasites and viruses can infect the liver, causing viruses and reduced liver function, the most common types of liver infection include-

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B 
• Hepatitis C

• Immune system abnormalities:

Due to attacked diseases immune system in certain parts of body can affect liver for example-

• Autoimmune hepatitis 
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis

3. Signs and Symptoms of Liver Problems

Symptoms for liver problems that you should see doctor immediately are-

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal swelling
• Yellowing of eyeballs and skin
• Sleepiness
• Disorientation or confusion
• Dark urine colour
• Swelling in legs and ankle 
• Itchy skin

India’s Youngest Successful Liver Transplantation on a One-Month-Old Baby, performed by Dr. Mohamed Rela

4. Cost of the Treatment across Various Countries

Cost of liver transplant can differ across countries. India is the most preferred country for low cost liver transplant surgery in India. Average cost in USA is approx $1,25,000, UK $ 1,00,000, India $33,000, Thailand $42,000, Singapore $50,000. The cost can vary depending on city, hospital, type of surgery. 

5. When to Opt For Liver Transplantation?

Person who suffer from acute and chronic liver diseases are possible candidates for liver transplant. When you are in end stage cirrhosis or you have genetic liver diseases or you are suffering from fulminant viral hepatitis then you need to have liver transplant. 

6. Who Are Not Suitable For The Liver Transplant?

The condition of absolute contraindication in which certain conditions disqualify a person from undergoing liver transplantation they are-

• AIDS
• advanced heart or lung disease
• metastatic cancer of liver
• irreversible brain dysfunction
• cancer present in other parts of body

7. Surgery Process

• Before surgery takes place doctor will suggest you to undergo few tests for donor liver to match.
• After all the tests doctor will tell you about your surgery that you need to make yourself prepared for. 
• The surgery usually takes about five to six hours, more or less depending on surgeon and difficulties during operation.
• Liver transplant is performed in general anesthesia. 
• Before surgery begins a tube is placed through the mouth into windpipe to help patient breath during the surgery.
• A Y-shaped incision is made in the abdomen and diseased liver is removed. Donor’s liver is then inserted and attached to major blood vessels and to the bile duct. The incision is then closed and surgery ends.

8. Recovering From Liver Transplant Surgery

After liver transplant surgery patients must frequently visit surgeon for follow up. Patient needs to visit every week for first month and then in months. Patient will be in several different medications which keep the body fighting off the new organ. Patient will be in strict diet with dietary restrictions of salt intake and well balanced diet with adequate protein is necessary. About 70 percent of people live for at least 5 years after surgery.

We Offer you Free Consultation with the Top Liver Surgeons in India at the Best Liver Transplant Hospitals in India

Call: +91-9765025331     Email: info@indiaorgantransplant.com