Facts and FAQs on Liver Transplant Surgery & Procedure
Liver transplantation is a procedure that involves removing a diseased liver and replacing it with a healthy one. Liver transplantation is typically reserved as a treatment option for people with severe complications from end-stage chronic liver disease. Occasionally, a liver transplant may be necessary in cases of abrupt liver failure.
FAQs on Liver Transplant Surgery & Procedure
Q. What factors influence the selection of candidates for a liver transplant in India?
A: To determine whether a liver transplant is appropriate, specialists from various fields must conduct medical evaluations. The transplant team will arrange for blood and imaging testing to determine if you require a transplant and whether it can be performed safely. It will also test your heart, lungs, kidneys, immunological system, and mental wellness.
Q. Can anyone suffering from liver disease get a transplant?
A: You are ineligible for a transplant if:
- You have cancer in a different part of your body.
- You suffer from a serious heart, lung, or nerve condition.
- You actively use alcoholic beverages or engage in illegal drug abuse.
- You have an ongoing, severe infection.
- The doctor determines any other serious medical condition.
Q. What are the different types of liver transplant options available?
A: A person can choose between two types of liver transplants:
- From a living donor
A living donor transplant involves the donation of a person’s liver. The liver is removed from the donor from either the left or right lobe.
- From a deceased donor
It is one of the most common types of liver transplants in India. The liver is collected from a deceased donor who has voluntarily decided to donate their organ to the beneficiary in this procedure. The only selection criterion is that the donor not be infected with a disease transmitted to others.
Q. Is liver donation risky?
A: Donating a liver is not at all risky. It is due to the liver’s high reserve capacity and its ability to regenerate to its original size quickly (within 4-5 months) after a portion of it is removed. As a result, the donor has no long-term effects, does not need to take any medication for more than a few weeks, and returns to normalcy in a month. In a few months, they can resume their daily activities as usual.
Q. What are some of the serious risks before and after surgery?
A: The primary risk before surgery is the development of acute complications related to liver disease, which could render the patient unfit for surgery. Moreover, there could be difficulties removing the diseased liver and implanting the donor’s liver. One of the most serious risks the patient faces is a brief loss of liver function. Bleeding, poor function of the grafted liver, and infections are major risks immediately following surgery. For several weeks, the patient is also closely monitored for signs of liver rejection.
Q. Which hospitals offer the best liver transplant in India?
A: Though you will get a handful of options for a trustworthy liver transplant hospital, BLK Max Super Speciality hospital is undoubtedly the ultimate destination for a liver transplant in India. With its team of world-renowned transplant experts, it tops the list of hospitals offering the best liver transplant in India.
