Liver Transplant Cost in India

Types of Liver Transplant:

There are two types of Liver transplants

1. Deceased donor transplants

Most livers for transplants come from people who have just died, called deceased donors. Adults typically receive the entire liver from a deceased donor. 

2. Living donor transplants

In this case, a healthy living person donates part of his or her liver, most often to a family member. In this type of the transplant, the surgeon removes a part of the living donor’s healthy liver and implants it into the recipient. Both the donor and recipient liver segments grow to normal size in a few weeks.
 

Indications for Liver Transplant Surgery
 

1. Cirrhosis: It is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions due to chronic injury. It is the most common reasons for liver transplant surgery.

Causes of Cirrhosis

• Viruses such as Hepatitis B and C
• Alcohol
• Auto immune liver diseases
• Build up of fat in liver
• Hereditary liver disease

2. Biliary atresia: It is a rare condition in which bile duct between the liver and small intestine is blocked or absent. An obstruction causes cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. The most common reason for liver transplant in children.
 

3. Liver Cancer

4. Benign Liver Tumors

5. Hereditary Diseases
 

Tests required for Liver transplant

• Doppler Ultrasound: to check blood vessels to and from the liver
• Pulmonary function test
• Eco-cardiogram
• CT scan  to determine the size and shape of liver
• Blood Tests

Before  surgery

Recipient is evaluated before the surgery. The patient cannot undergo Liver transplant surgery in the following conditions

• Serious heart, lung or nerve disease
• Active alcohol/Illegal drug abuse
• Cancer in another part of the body
• Active severe infection

Once the evaluation is complete, the patient is accepted as a candidate for transplant and put on a weight list for a transplant 

Donor: The blood type and body size are critical factors in determining an appropriate donor
 

Procedure

When a Liver is identified, the patient is prepared for the surgery. If the new Liver is from a living donor, both recipient and the donor undergo surgery at the same time. Diseased Liver is disconnected from bile ducts and blood vessels before removing it. The blood that flows into the liver is blocked or sent through a machine to return to the rest of the body. The surgeon then puts the healthy liver in place and reconnects it to the bile ducts and blood vessels. The surgeon place several tubes in the body which help in carrying out certain functions during the operation and for a next few days.

Post Procedure

After the surgery, the patient is transferred to ICU for careful monitoring of all body functions, including the liver. Once the patient is shifted to the ward, the frequency of blood testing, etc. is decreased, eating is allowed and physiotherapy is prescribed to regain muscle strength. Medicines are given to prevent rejection. During the transplantation, frequent tests are done to monitor liver function and detect any evidence of rejection. Average hospital stay is 2 – 3 weeks. 
 

Complications Involved

Rejection Episode: When the liver is transplanted, the immune system of recipient triggers some response against the new organ, that it would have against any foreign material, setting a chain of events that can damage the transplanted Liver.  It can happen rapidly or over a period of time.

Rejection can happen despite close matching of donor and recipient. Rejection happens because the immune system cannot differentiate between transplanted Liver and unwanted invader such as viruses and bacteria. Immunosuppressive medication are used to prevent rejection
 

Side effects of Immunosuppressants:

• It lowers the patient’s resistance to fight against infections
• Jaundice (Yellow skin/eyes)
• Abdominal swelling
• High Fever