The liver is an important organ in the human body; it is wedge-shaped with 4 unequal lobes. It is the heaviest organ in our body and it is also the largest gland. It is reddish in colour and is situated on the right side of the abdomen.
The only organ in the body that can regenerate injured or lost tissue is the liver. Therefore, when a piece of liver is taken from a healthy, live donor, the liver (in both the donor and the recipient) will grow back to its normal size and both the live donor and the recipient will be able to lead normal, healthy lives.
A donor can be healthy and living or the liver could come from a person who is brain dead because of a fatal accident or other reasons.
No one can live with a liver that does not function properly. Transplantation would be recommended when a patient has liver failure or end-stage liver disease.
When an organ in the body fails to function, it is always a life-threatening situation and liver failure can be caused by quite a few conditions.
There are two types of liver transplantation:
This is the most common type of liver transplantation where the healthy liver for transplant is obtained from a deceased donor. The surgeons operate on the deceased to remove the healthy liver to transplant it into the donor. Usually, the whole liver is transplanted to the patient, but in some cases, the surgeon may decide to split the healthy donor liver into two parts. The more significant part might be transplanted to an adult, while the small part may work for a child.
For this procedure, a part of the liver for the transplant is obtained from a living donor. This is a safe procedure for both the donor and the patient since the liver can regenerate itself. The living donor’s liver, after transplant, will grow back to its original size. Living donor liver transplantation is not as common as deceased donor transplantation, and the donor is often a family member of the patient.
The transplant surgery to replace the non-functioning liver takes between 6 to 12 hours. During the surgery, the patient will have several tubes in his/her body. These tubes help the body to continue certain functions during surgery and for a few days after surgery.
After the surgery, the stay in the hospital will be (for most patients) around 2 to 3 weeks, but some could be discharged earlier or retained, depending on their progress. After discharge, the patient will have follow-up visits so that the doctor can check on the functioning of the liver. It may take up to 6 months for a patient to feel fully healed. Normal activities and work may be resumed after a few months.
The patients eligible for liver transplantation are carefully selected. Doctors have an MELD score, which determines the urgency for transplant. The MELD score estimates the survival rate of patients with liver disease for the following three months. The MELD score ranges from 6-40, and having a high MELD score means you have a high priority for getting the transplant.
Though the number of liver transplants occurring in India is on the rise, the number of people who need to get a transplant is also increasing. The cost of receiving a liver transplant can range anywhere between 20 to 30 lakhs depending on the institution where the transplantation is done. Apart from the scarcity of donors, the cost is also another factor that deters people from getting the transplant.
One year from the surgery, people who receive liver transplantation have an 85% survival rate.
While selecting the liver transplantation hospital in India, there are a few factors to consider. The hospital must be fully equipped to perform the surgery with the relevant equipment and specialists. If the liver transplant program in the hospital is government-approved, you can get the procedure done at a lower government recommended cost.
Kauvery Hospital has a government approved liver transplant program. We have been striving to make procedures like liver transplantation affordable for all classes of people.
Though there have been significant advancements in the health sector, prevention is always best. At Kauvery Hospital, we have been focusing on creating awareness among people to maintain a healthy liver lifestyle and we are also actively focusing on ways to find the disease early.
A boon for patients with end stage liver disease, Kauvery Liver Transplant Centre offers affordable liver transplant surgeries.
Please contact us at +91 9150277712 for approx. cost details.
Check out this video by Dr. Ilango, Lead Surgeon, Transplant and Liver Surgery, talking about how liver transplants are a boon for patients with end stage liver disease.
1. What are the main types of liver transplantation?
The main types are deceased donor liver transplantation (from a deceased donor) and living donor liver transplantation (part of the liver from a living donor).
2. Why is a liver transplant necessary?
A liver transplant is necessary when a patient has liver failure or end-stage liver disease, which can be caused by conditions such as cirrhosis, acute hepatic necrosis, biliary atresia, viral hepatitis, metabolic liver diseases, primary liver cancers, and autoimmune hepatitis.
3. How long does liver transplant surgery take?
Liver transplant surgery typically takes between 6 to 12 hours. During the surgery, the patient will have several tubes to help the body continue certain functions.
4. What is the recovery process after a liver transplant?
After surgery, most patients stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 weeks. Full recovery may take up to 6 months, with follow-up visits to monitor liver function and ensure proper healing.
5. What factors determine eligibility for a liver transplant in India?
Eligibility for a liver transplant in India is determined by a patient’s MELD score, which ranges from 6 to 40. A higher MELD score indicates a higher urgency for a transplant.
6. What are the costs associated with liver transplantation in India?
The cost of a liver transplant in India ranges from 20 to 30 lakhs, depending on the institution. Factors like the scarcity of donors and the complexity of the surgery also influence the overall cost.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
