Liver Transplantation: Surgery, Cost, Criteria, Procedure & Recovery

Liver transplantation has become an important treatment for the increasing rate of liver disease (5.5%-9.5% worldwide), particularly in countries like Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Iraq. This trend is caused by a lack of infrastructure and lack of access to healthcare in these countries. You can have liver transplants successfully performed in India through top liver transplant doctors in India. India’s goal is to provide comprehensive treatment to the 1.5–2 million patients globally who require liver transplants due to end-stage liver disease.

Understanding Liver Functions

The liver, the body’s second-largest organ, located beneath the diaphragm in the upper right abdomen, is a vital and complex organ. It produces proteins necessary for clotting and helps in digestion by producing bile. Its important functions include storage, protein synthesis, and detoxification, and it weighs 1.4 to 1.6 kilos and measures roughly 10 centimeters. Infections, medicines, and toxins can all cause liver problems. A healthy liver requires a balanced diet, limited alcohol consumption, and regular exercise. If the function of the liver gets worse, a liver transplant may be needed to restore normal functions.

Liver Failure

Liver failure happens when the liver becomes seriously deteriorated and is unable to perform its important functions. Liver failure is a serious medical illness in which large sections of the liver are destroyed, hindering its key functions. Liver failure can be grouped into two types:

Acute Liver Failure:

• It starts quickly, often in a matter of days or weeks, and most people have no past liver problems.
• Can be caused by mushroom poisoning or overuse of acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Symptoms may appear suddenly or not at all at first.

Chronic Liver Failure:

• Develops slowly over months or years.
• Is usually caused by cirrhosis, which occurs when healthy liver tissue transforms into scar tissue.
• Cirrhosis can be caused by hepatitis C, excessive alcohol consumption, or fatty liver disease.
• Inflammation and scar tissue buildup hinder the liver’s simple function.

Reason for Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure is a dangerous illness in which the liver suddenly stops to function. Several causes could lead to this sudden failure:

• Acetaminophen Overdose: Taking too much acetaminophen can harm the liver.
• Viral Infections: Hepatitis viruses (A, B, E) and others can damage the liver.
• Medication Reactions: Certain prescription and herbal drugs harm liver cells or bile ducts.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: Immune system attacking the liver results in liver failure.
• Wilson’s disease: Genetic disorder causes copper buildup, damaging the liver.
• Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy: A rare condition where excess fat accumulates on the liver, causing damage.
• Septic Shock: Infections can damage or stop the liver from normal working.
• Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A rare disease blocking liver blood vessels, disrupting its function.
• Industrial Toxins: Chemicals like carbon tetrachloride from cleaning products harm the liver.
• Excessive use of paracetamol medicine

Reason for Chronic Liver Failure

Chronic liver failure evolves gradually over months to years and is directly linked to cirrhosis. This condition can be caused by:

• Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B infection causes inflammation, which causes liver swelling and damage.
• Hepatitis C: Serious hepatitis C infection can lead to cirrhosis and chronic liver failure.
• Long-term Alcohol Consumption: Excessive and long-term alcohol consumption is a major contributor to the onset of cirrhosis and subsequent liver failure.
• Hemochromatosis: An inherited illness that causes excessive iron accumulation in the liver, eventually leading to cirrhosis and chronic liver failure.

Stages of Liver Failure

1. Inflammation (Stage 1): Inflammation can result from factors like infections, alcohol, or medications.
2. Fibrosis/Scarring (Stage 2): Untreated inflammation causes scar tissue to form within the liver (fibrosis).Scar tissue growth reduces blood flow and puts stress on healthy liver tissue.
3. Cirrhosis (Stage 3): Cirrhosis occurs as a result of fibrosis progression, with serious scar tissue replacing healthy liver cells. The liver’s structure gets greatly changed affecting its ability to function normally.
4. End-Stage Liver Failure/Disease (Stage 4): It includes several complications:

• Swollen liver
• Internal bleeding from the liver’s blood vessels
• Kidney function loss
• Fluid collection in the abdomen (ascites)
• Potential lung problems

Liver transplantation is the only viable treatment option left.

Diagnosis and Tests for Liver Disease

Tests commonly used in the diagnosis of liver disease:

Blood Tests:

• Liver Function Tests (LFTs): These tests evaluate the liver’s function and overall health by measuring levels of enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin in the blood.
• Serum Bilirubin: Increased values indicate a problem with the liver or bile flow.
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) tests
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) tests

Imaging Studies:

• Ultrasound: A non-invasive imaging device used to evaluate the size, structure, and any abnormalities in the liver, such as tumors, cysts, or fatty infiltration.
• CT scan or MRI: More detailed imaging to provide a comprehensive picture of the liver’s condition and identify any signs of disease.

Fibrosis Assessment:

• FibroScan or Transient Elastography: Determines the degree of fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness.
• Fibrosis Blood Tests (e.g., FibroTest, APRI): Blood indicators used to measure the amount of liver fibrosis.

Biopsy:

A small sample of liver tissue is taken and studied under a microscope to determine the degree of inflammation, fibrosis, or other abnormalities. This invasive procedure is usually used when the diagnosis is unclear or more accurate information is needed.

Signs and Symptoms of Liver Disease

Common Symptoms of Liver Disease:

• Swelling in legs or abdomen
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Itchy skin
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
• Vomiting blood
• Dark urine
• Easy bruising or bleeding

Treatment Options of Liver Disease

Antiviral Medications: It is used to treat viral hepatitis infections (e.g., Hepatitis B and C).

Immunosuppressants: It is needed in situations of immune hepatitis cases. It minimizes liver inflammation and damage.

Lifestyle Changes: Stopping alcohol consumption and weight loss can improve liver health.

Liver Dialysis: It is used in advanced stages when the liver can’t effectively remove toxins from the bloodstream.

Liver Transplant: It is recommended for end-stage liver disease (ESLD) cases. It is a complex procedure where a healthy liver is transplanted from a suitable donor.

Liver Transplant in India

Liver transplantation, a surgical procedure to replace a failing liver with a healthy one from a deceased or living donor, becomes an essential option when other treatments can’t cure liver damage. In comparison to many other nations, liver transplantation in India is a relatively affordable option, with costs much lower, making it a popular destination for patients. Highly specialized Liver transplant doctors in India at top hospitals manage this critical procedure for end-stage liver diseases, acute failure, and certain liver cancers, offering a chance at renewed life for those facing life-threatening liver conditions.

Types of Liver Transplant in India

Different types of liver transplant are:

Living Donor Transplant: A portion of a healthy liver from a living donor, usually a family member or close relative, is transplanted into the recipient’s liver, which is not functioning normally. Both the donor’s and the recipient’s livers have the ability to regenerate and return to normal size within a few weeks of the liver transplant.

Deceased Donor Transplant: When someone is confirmed brain dead, their liver can be donated to someone who is in need. Based on blood type and other medical problems, patients on the waiting list are matched with compatible livers. The liver can be split into two parts and transplanted into separate recipients to increase the availability of donor organs. This method improves the number of people who can benefit from a single liver donation.

Split Liver Transplantation: In some situations, a deceased donor’s liver might be separated into two portions and donated to different recipients. This procedure allows two patients to get functional livers from a single donor, effectively reducing the donor organ shortage.

Innovations in Liver Transplant in India

Since its first success, liver transplantation in India has advanced remarkably. India is become a global leader in providing low-cost liver transplant options. Indian hospitals successfully perform complex liver transplants on both local and international patients.

• Living Donor Liver Transplantation (LDLT): Uses part of a living donor’s liver for transplantation.
• Split Liver Transplantation: Divides a single deceased donor liver into two parts for transplantation in two recipients
• Minimally Invasive Techniques: Precise surgeries with smaller incisions for quicker recovery.
• Auxiliary Liver Transplantation: Transplants a partial liver from a living donor while retaining the recipient’s original liver.

Post Liver Transplant Care:

• Following up on the mentioned tests and medications on time is important for post-liver transplant treatment.
• It is essential to adhere to an immunosuppressant treatment schedule to avoid organ rejection.
• Maintaining proper personal cleanliness reduces the chance of infection, especially with decreased immunity.
• Post-transplant tests help with anti-rejection medication dosage changes.
• With regular medical check-ups, successful liver transplant recipients can enjoy a normal life.
• Lifelong treatment is predicted, however, dosages may be reduced depending on the performance of the replacement liver and patient response.

Cost of Liver transplant in India

The cost of a liver transplant in India procedure ranges from $27,000 to $40,000.  Living donor, deceased donor, and split liver transplants are the three main types of liver transplant surgeries. The recovery time normally lasts three to six months, depending on the frequency of medical check-ups. The liver transplant cost in India is influenced by a number of factors, including the type of transplant, hospital facilities, and length of stay, pre-transplant tests, surgeon fees, and overall infrastructure. Despite the prices, India’s medical skills are relatively inexpensive options making it a popular destination for liver transplants.

Best Liver Transplant Hospitals in India

We work with some of the best liver transplant hospitals in India to provide comprehensive solutions for people in need of a liver transplant. These liver transplant hospitals provide comprehensive treatment, from pre-transplant evaluations to post-operative recovery, making them top choices for patients seeking high-quality liver transplant procedures in India.

Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon

Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon

Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurgaon

Global Hospitals, Mumbai

Paras Hospital, Gurgaon

Max Hospital, Gurgaon

Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurgaon

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi

Park Hospital, Gurgaon

Top Doctors for Liver Transplant in India

Top liver transplant doctors in India are widely recognized for their skills. These experts, who work in world-class hospitals, have a track record of successful transplants and advanced surgical methods. Their expertise and dedication make them popular choices for people seeking the best liver transplant medical care in India.

Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary -BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi

Dr. Vivek Vij -Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon

Dr. Sanjiv Saigal Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon

Dr. Ravi Mohanka- Global Hospitals, Mumbai

Dr. Samir Shah -Global Hospitals, Mumbai

Dr. Avnish Seth -Manipal Hospitals Dwarka, Delhi

Dr. Deepak Govil -Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi

Dr. Rakesh Rai -Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai

Dr. Ramdip Ray -Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon

Success Rate of Liver Transplant in India

The success rate of liver transplants in India has increased significantly, with an average of 85% to 90%. This promising trend can be related to improvements in medical procedures, skilled surgical teams, and improved post-operative care.

Top Liver Transplant Surgeons in India

• 

  Dr. Subhash Gupta

  Fellowship, MS, MBBS

  Surgical Gastroenterologist

  39+ Years of Experience

• 

  Dr. Abhideep Chaudhary

  Consultant , MBBS, MS, Fellowship

  Surgical Gastroenterologist

  24+ Years of Experience

• 

  Dr. Vivek Vij

  MBBS, MS (Gen Surg), MRCS (Edin), DNB

  HPB & Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation

  20+ Years of Experience

• 

  Dr. A. S. Soin

  Chairman , MBBS, MS, FRCS, FRCS

  Liver Transplant Surgeon

  30 years of experience

• 

  Dr. Giriraj Bora

  Additional Director , MCh, MS, MBBS

  Surgical Gastroenterologist

  20+ Years of Experience

Best Liver Hospitals in India

Medanta The Medicity



Artemis Hospital



Max Hospital, Saket



Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon



BLK Super Speciality Hospital



Jaypee Hospital



Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi

Book An Appointment for Liver Transplant

More Info About Liver Transplant

Cost of Liver Transplant in India

Liver transplants are tactful surgeries but get adequate care and concern from the best hospitals. The approximate cost for a liver transplant in India is 20-30 lakhs depending on the treatment suitable for the patient.

Success Rate of Liver Transplant in India