Who need a liver transplant?

A functional liver is essential for sustaining life. When the liver deteriorates and fails to perform its necessary functions, it is often advised that the patient consider liver transplantation. This indicates that an individual experiencing end-stage liver failure may require surgical intervention for a liver transplant.

• Cirrhosis: Chronic liver disease can arise from various factors, one of which is cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a prevalent liver condition characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, ultimately hindering the organ's ability to function effectively.
• Hepatic Necrosis:This acute disease happens when the liver tissue ceases to function. It could be due to sensitive infections or reactions to drug toxicity.
• Viral Hepatitis:This includes Hepatitis B, C, or D as the major cause.
• Cholestatic Diseases: Rare liver diseases like biliary atresia, sclerosing cholangitis, cystic fibrosis, etc., can stop liver function.
• Metabolic Diseases: Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, Alpha-1- antitrypsin deficiency, tyrosinemia, glycogen storage disease, and other related disorders change
• Early-stage Liver Cancer: If the cancerous tumors start developing in the liver, but it is at the primary or early stage, liver transplant surgery can treat the disorder.
• Major Symptoms of Liver Transplant: There are four major signs that signify the need for liver transplant surgery.
• 1. Jaundice
• 2. Gastrointestinal bleeding
• 3. Encephalopathy
• 4. Fluid retention
• Criteria to Donate Liver Transplant Surgery: In order to undergo a liver transplant surgery, the liver transplantation donor would be first assessed and evaluated by the medical professionals on specific health grounds. Hence, the organ donor should be free of the following:
• 1. Liver cancer
• 2. Disabling psychiatric disorders
• 3. Active infections
• 4. Substance abuse
• 5. Alcohol for a minimum of 6 months
• 6. Other diseases
• Criteria to Undergo A Liver Transplant: There is truly a lot of demand for the transplantation surgery of the liver. However, everyone who wants to transplant whole or partial liver can get one. For liver transplant in India, the healthcare provider does every possible thing to ensure that the transplant surgery becomes successful. As a result, the medical professionals evaluate some criteria after which the patient qualifies for organ transplantation.
• 1. Clinical symptoms of acute liver cancer or liver failure
• 2. Fit to undergo the process of surgery
• 3. Not under the risk of drug abuse or alcohol in future

The healthcare providers determine these factors based on several things. They consider both biological and mental health. In addition, they analyze if there is any record of chemical reliance.

During the evaluation, if any such risky conditions are detected, then those conditions get treated before the surgery. Finally, when the patient meets the criteria for undergoing surgery, their name will be on the national waiting list. A patient with acute liver disease goes directly to the top of the waiting list.

Complications of Liver Transplant Surgery

Liver transplantation carries significant complications, which are associated with the treatment. In order to avoid these risks, the medical professionals evaluate the reports of the patients beforehand to complete the surgery successfully.

Possible Risks and Side-effects of Liver Transplant

Risks associated to liver transplant surgery include:

• Bile duct complications like leaks, shrinkage, or block
• Bleeding or blood clotting
• Infection
• Seizure or mental confusion
• Transplanted liver failure

Side-effects of anti-rejection medicine may cause:

• Headache
• Diabete
• Diarrhea
• Thinning of bone
• High cholesterol
• High BP

Cost of Liver Transplants in India