Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Liver Transplant or Liver Transplantation?

In Liver Transplant surgery, the damaged or diseased liver will be replaced by a healthy liver for treating Chronic liver diseases that can not be treated by medications to improve the life expectancy of the patients suffering from liver diseases. 

What are the advantages of a Liver Transplant?

Advantages of Liver Transplant are:

1. Cures Wilson’s disease
2. Restores the liver function
3. Treats both chronic and moderate liver diseases
4. Improves patient quality of life

What are the indications of Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant is indicated in the following conditions

1. Liver cancer not affecting the surrounding tissues and blood vessels
2. Chronic liver dysfunction
3. Liver disease not responding to the medications
4. End-stage of liver disease

What is the preparation for Liver Transplant?

1. Health condition of the patient will be evaluated by the doctor.
2. The doctor will examine the patient for MELD score.
3. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided for 6 months.
4. Few tests may be recommended by the doctor such as liver function tests, blood tests, and urine tests.
5. Inform the doctor about past and present medical and medication history.

What are the steps involved in Liver Transplant?

Steps involved in Liver Transplantation are the following:

1. The liver is taken without using any anesthesia if the donor is deceased. By using anesthesia, the live donor will be sedated and the blood vessels that are connected to the liver and bile ducts are separated.
2. The patient will be sedated and the blood vessels of the liver and bile ducts are separated.
3. The damaged liver will be replaced by either a complete liver or a portion of the liver from the donor.
4. After transplanting the healthy liver, the surgeon will connect the blood vessels and bile ducts.

What is the postprocedure care/recovery care for Liver Transplant?

1. The patient will be discharged from the hospital with instructions after a stable liver function.
2. The doctor will plan several follow-ups to evaluate and to examine the condition of the transplanted liver.
3. Immunosuppressants may be given to avoid liver rejection by the immune system.
4. All vital signs along with the liver function will be monitored by nurses and doctors for up to 4-5 days in the hospital.

Who can perform this [Right specialist type for Liver Transplant]?

Liver Transplantation can be performed by

1. An experienced General surgeon.
2. Trained Hepatologist in liver transplantation.
3. Gastroenterologist with successfully performed liver transplantations.

What is the cost of a Liver Transplant in Mumbai?

Liver Transplant cost in Mumbai depends on the following factors

1. Medical condition of the patient
2. Post-surgical complications that are involved
3. Surgeon fee
4. Type of hospital
5. Experience of the surgeon
6. Relationship to the donor
7. Admission fee
8. Severity of liver disease 

The minimum expenses to be paid in Mumbai starts from Rs.10,00,000

Average price in Mumbai is approximately Rs.21,77,273

Maximum cost in Mumbai rises up to Rs. 32,00,000

Is Liver Transplant a major surgery or minor surgery?

Liver Transplantation involves replacing the diseased liver with a healthy liver and so it is major surgery. 

What is the eligibility criteria for a Liver Transplant?

A Liver Transplant can be performed on:

1. People with liver disease that is not responding to the medications.
2. People above 18 years old suffering from active chronic liver disease.
3. Individuals suffering from liver cancer that is not spreading to surrounding tissues and blood vessels.

What is the ineligibility criteria for a Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant cannot be done in the following individuals:

1. Individuals suffering from liver cancer outside of the liver.
2. People who consumed alcohol in the past 6 months.
3. People below 18 years old and suffering from acute liver disease that can be treated with medications.
4. Individuals who cannot control alcohol consumption.

What are the risks and complications associated with Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant includes the following risks and complications:

1. Organ[liver] failure
2. Shrinkage and leakage of bile ducts 
3. Formation of blood clots
4. Organ [liver] rejection by the immune system
5. Infection at the site of surgery
6. Loss of blood

How long does it take to complete Liver Transplant?

4-8 hours may be required to complete Liver Transplant surgery. 

What is the recovery time?

Individuals who undergo Liver Transplant may take about 3-5 months to recover. 

What is the success rate of Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant success rate depends on factors such as:

1. Immune system of the receiver
2. Experience of the Surgeon
3. Severity of the liver disease

Overall, the success rate of Liver Transplant ranges between 75% to 89%. 

Is Liver Transplant painful?

The patient will be under the anesthetic effect and does not feel any pain during the surgery. 

Is Liver Transplant Permanent?

Liver Transplantation may be a permanent procedure as it involves transplanting the damaged or diseased liver with a healthy liver.

What are the long-term effects of a Liver Transplant?

Long-term effects of Liver Transplant are the following:

1. Improves the patient quality of life
2. Increases the risk of developing a heart disease
3. Dysfunction of the graft
4. Life long use of Immunosuppression medications.
5. Improved life expectancy of patients suffering from chronic liver disease

Can Liver Transplant be detected in the future?

Due to the presence of scars at the site of surgery, Liver Transplantation may be detected in the future. 

What are the options if the Liver Transplant is not successful?

If Liver Transplantation fails, then the doctor may prescribe immunosuppressant medicines for a lifetime. 

What are the alternatives for Liver Transplant?

Alternatives to Liver Transplant are:

1. Bioartificial liver devices
2. Extracorporeal artificial liver device
3. Hepatocyte transplantation