Liver transplant in India. What should you need to know?

 What is Liver transplant?

A liver transplant is a surgery that removes a liver that no longer functions properly (liver failure) and replaces it with a healthy liver from a deceased donor or a portion of a healthy liver from a living donor.

Why you should choose India for Liver transplant?

Expertise of Liver Transplantation: India has a highly skilled and experienced medical professionals, including liver transplant surgeons, hepatologists, and support staff, who are well-trained in performing complex liver transplant surgeries.

Cost-Effective Liver Treatment: India offers liver transplant treatments at a price that is far lower than that of many developed nations. Patients come from all over the world because of this cost-effectiveness, especially those looking for high-quality healthcare at a low cost. For example, a normal liver transplant in the US might cost upwards of $600,000, including post-operative medication and care. While the average price of a liver transplant in India is between $18,000 and $45,000.

State-of-the-art Facilities: Many hospitals in India are equipped with advanced medical infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care during pre-transplant evaluations, surgeries, and post-operative care. Apart from that India is utilising cutting-edge technology, world-class facilities, and a highly competent nursing and healthcare staff

Reduced Waiting Times: In countries where demand for liver transplants exceeds supply, patients often face long waiting times for organ transplantation. In India, the waiting lists may be comparatively shorter, allowing patients to receive timely treatments.

High Success Rates: India have achieved excellent success rates, on comparison with global standards, in performing liver transplant surgeries, making it a reliable option for patients seeking effective treatment.

Multi-organ Transplant Expertise: Some Indian hospitals have the capability to perform multi-organ transplants, such as combined liver and kidney transplants, providing comprehensive treatment to patients with complex medical conditions.

International & National Accreditation: Hospital in India has obtained international accreditations, such as those from Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), demonstrating their adherence to global healthcare standards.

Supportive Government Policies: The Indian government has been actively supporting the development of healthcare infrastructure and medical tourism, which has facilitated the growth of liver transplant services in the country.

Cultural Sensitivity and Language Proficiency: India is known for its cultural sensitivity and language proficiency. Medical professionals can often communicate with patients in multiple languages, providing a comfortable and personalized experience for international patients.

Symptoms of Liver diseases which may require a Liver transplant?

Liver diseases can progress to a point where a liver transplant becomes necessary. The symptoms indicating the need for a transplant can vary widely but generally reflect significant liver dysfunction or failure. Here are the key symptoms associated with liver diseases that may require a liver transplant:

• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood.

• Ascites: Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, leading to swelling that does not respond to diuretics.

• Hepatic Encephalopathy: Confusion, altered mental state, or coma resulting from the liver's inability to remove toxins from the blood.

• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: This can occur due to varices (enlarged veins) in the oesophagus or stomach, often resulting from portal hypertension.

• Severe Fatigue and Weakness: Persistent tiredness that affects daily activities and quality of life.

• Muscle Wasting: Loss of muscle mass, which can be indicative of malnutrition associated with advanced liver disease.

• Disabling Itching: Chronic itching that is not relieved by standard treatments, often associated with cholestasis (bile flow obstruction).

• Frequent Bruising and Bleeding: Increased tendency to bruise easily or prolonged bleeding from minor cuts due to clotting factor deficiencies.

• Dyspnoea (Shortness of Breath): Unexplained difficulty breathing may indicate pulmonary complications related to liver disease

Procedure for Liver transplant?

Before surgery

• The patient undergoes thorough medical assessments to determine if they are a suitable candidate for a liver transplant. This includes blood tests, imaging studies (e.g., CT scans, MRIs), and sometimes a liver biopsy. The assessment will also evaluate the patient’s overall health, other organ functions (e.g., heart, kidneys), and ability to withstand surgery.

• Once the patient is approved for a transplant, the matching process begins. This involves matching the patient’s blood type, body size, and the degree of liver damage with a suitable donor. Donors can be either living (usually for specific conditions like bile duct disease) or deceased (most common).

• If a suitable donor is not immediately available, the patient is placed on a waiting list, often managed by a national or regional transplant organization.

• Once a donor liver is available, the patient is admitted to the hospital. Preparation includes fasting, blood tests, and possibly medications to prevent infection or complications during surgery.

The Liver Transplant Surgery

• The patient is given general anaesthesia to ensure they are asleep and pain-free during the procedure.

• The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen, usually below the ribs, to access the liver.

• The surgeon carefully removes the damaged liver, ensuring that major blood vessels and bile ducts are carefully handled.

• The donor liver (which can be from a deceased donor or a portion of a living donor's liver) is prepared for implantation. The liver is placed in ice-cold preservation solution before transplantation.

• The surgeon connects the donor liver to the recipient’s blood vessels and bile ducts, ensuring that the liver is properly perfused (supplied with blood) and can function effectively.

• After confirming the liver is functioning properly, the surgical team closes the incision with sutures or staples.

Post-Transplant Care

• After the surgery, the patient is transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for close monitoring. Vital signs are continuously monitored, and the patient may require a ventilator to assist with breathing.

• Doctors will monitor liver function through blood tests to ensure the new liver is working well. The patient may also be given medications to prevent rejection of the transplanted liver (immunosuppressants).

• Pain after surgery is managed through medications, which are gradually reduced as the patient heals.

• The medical team will work to prevent infections, bleeding, and any signs of liver rejection. Blood tests, ultrasounds, and other imaging may be used to track recovery progress.

• Once stable, the patient may begin gentle exercises to improve mobility and strength.

Benefits of Liver transplant

Improved Life Expectancy: For individuals with end-stage liver disease, a liver transplant can significantly improve life expectancy. Without a transplant, liver failure is often fatal. A successful transplant can provide a person with many more years of life.

Restoration of Liver Function: A liver transplant replaces a diseased or failing liver with a healthy one, restoring the ability of the liver to perform its vital functions. This includes detoxifying harmful substances, producing bile for digestion, synthesizing proteins, and maintaining blood clotting factors.

Relief from Symptoms: Severe liver disease often causes symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, swelling, and confusion. A transplant can relieve or eliminate many of these symptoms, improving the quality of life.

Improved Quality of Life: After a successful transplant, individuals often experience a significant improvement in their overall well-being, energy levels, and ability to engage in normal activities. People can return to work, exercise, and participate in family life.

Reversal of Complications: Liver failure can lead to life-threatening complications such as cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction due to toxins), variceal bleeding, and liver cancer. A transplant can halt or reverse many of these complications, offering hope for long-term recovery.

Long-Term Health: While a liver transplant requires ongoing medication (immunosuppressants) to prevent rejection, the majority of recipients can live healthy lives for many years after the procedure, especially with proper medical follow-up and lifestyle adjustments.

Better Management of Underlying Conditions: In some cases, a liver transplant may be the best option for individuals with liver disease caused by conditions like hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease, or genetic disorders like hemochromatosis. By replacing the damaged liver, the transplant can mitigate the impact of these conditions.

Social and Psychological Benefits: People who undergo a liver transplant may experience an emotional and psychological boost, as they no longer have to contend with the uncertainties and limitations of severe liver disease. Improved physical health can also help reduce stress and depression.

Risks and complications associated with Liver transplant

Rejection: The body may recognize the new liver as foreign and try to attack it, a process called rejection. This can be managed with immunosuppressive drugs, but regular monitoring is essential.

Infection: Due to immunosuppressive therapy, the patient is more vulnerable to infections, which require close monitoring.

Bile Duct Complications: There can be issues with bile flow after transplantation, leading to bile duct leaks or narrowing (stricture).

Bleeding: Since the liver is involved in blood clotting, there’s a risk of bleeding during and after surgery.

Recurrent Disease: In some cases, the original liver disease (e.g., hepatitis) can recur in the transplanted liver.

Recovery time after Liver transplant

• Many people feel almost back to normal after 3-6 months, although this can vary. Physical strength improves, and many patients can return to work, school, and family activities with some caution.

• Full recovery can take up to a year, during which time most patients gradually regain their strength, energy levels, and overall health. This is especially true if there are no major complications during the first few months.

• After the first year, many people can resume their normal lifestyles, though they will need to continue taking immunosuppressive medications for life to prevent organ rejection. However, the transplant will significantly improve quality of life and longevity compared to pre-transplant conditions.

Liver transplant success rate

• The success rate of a liver transplant depends on several factors, including the recipient's overall health, the cause of liver failure, the quality of the donor liver, and how well the patient follows post-transplant care instructions.

• The success rate of a liver transplant is over 90%.

If you are considering liver transplant surgery and need help regarding your treatment, please connect to Nishma Health Assist Private Ltd. We will love to answer your queries. Our services are completely free.

Contact Number: +918009003879

Email ID: bdteam@nishmahealthassist.com

Website: https://www.nishmahealthassist.com/