2 Liver Transplant Doctors in Delhi

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Liver Transplant or Liver Transplantation?

Liver Transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves replacing the diseased liver with a healthy liver from the donor. It helps in treating several acute and chronic liver diseases. In this surgery either a whole or a portion of the liver is transplanted depending on the severity of the liver disease.

What are the advantages of a Liver Transplant?

Some of the advantages of Liver Transplant are:

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

What are the indications of Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant may be indicated in the following conditions:

1. Chronic liver failure
2. Liver disease that is not responding to the medications

What is the preparation for Liver Transplant?

1. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided for 6 months.
2. The doctor will examine the patient for MELD score.
3. Few tests may be recommended by the doctor such as liver function tests, blood tests, and urine tests.
4. Inform the doctor about past and present medical and medication history.
5. Discuss with the doctor regarding risks, complications, and benefits of getting a liver transplant.

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. Immunosuppressants may be provided to avoid liver rejection by the immune system.
2. Doctors and nurses will monitor all vital signs and liver functions for up to 4-5 days in the hospital.
3. The doctor will plan several follow-ups to check the condition of the new liver.

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

Liver Transplantation can be performed by:

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

What is the cost of a Liver Transplant in Delhi?

Liver Transplant cost in Delhi depends on the following factors

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

 The minimum charges for Liver Transplant in Delhi start from Rs.18,00,000.

Average cost for Liver Transplant in Delhi is approximately Rs.22,81,149.

Maximum price for Liver Transplant in Delhi rises up to Rs. 31,29,840.

Is Liver Transplant a major surgery or minor surgery?

Liver Transplantation can be considered as a major surgery as it involves replacing the damaged liver with a healthy liver. 

What is the eligibility criteria for a Liver Transplant?

Following individuals can undergo Liver Transplantation:

1. People suffering from liver disease that is not responding to medical treatment.
2. Individuals suffering from active chronic liver disease.

What is the ineligibility criteria for a Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant is not recommended for the following individuals:

1. Individuals who cannot control alcohol consumption
2. Below 18 years old
3. Individuals who are suffering from acute liver disease that can be treated with medications.
4. People suffering from liver cancer outside of the liver.

What are the risks and complications associated with Liver Transplant?

Some of the risks and complications associated with Liver Transplant are the following:

1. Bile leakage
2. Organ [liver] rejection
3. Blood loss
4. Bile ducts shrinkage
5. Infection at the site of surgery
6. Formation of blood clots
7. Organ[liver] failure

How long does it take to complete Liver Transplant?

The surgeon may take about 4-8 hours to complete the Liver Transplantation. 

What is the recovery time?

Recovery time from Liver Transplantation maybe around 3-5 months. 

What is the success rate of Liver Transplant?

A few factors play a role in the success rate of Liver transplant and they are:

1. Condition of the patient's immune system
2. The severity of the liver disease
3. Surgeon experience in performing Liver Transplantation

The success rate of a Liver Transplant maybe 75% to 89%.

Is Liver Transplant painful?

The patient will be sedated before the surgery begins and cannot feel any type of pain during the surgery process. 

Is Liver Transplant Permanent?

Liver Transplantation is a permanent procedure as it involves removing the damaged or diseased liver and replacing with a healthy liver. 

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

There are some long-term effects for Liver Transplant and few of them are:

1. Improve in the patient quality of life
2. Increased risk of developing a heart disease
3. Liver rejection  by the immune system
4. Increases the life expectancy of patients suffering from chronic liver disease

Can Liver Transplant be detected in the future?

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

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

The doctor may prescribe immunosuppressants almost for a lifetime to prevent the immune system from rejecting the transplanted liver.

What are the alternatives for Liver Transplant?

Alternatives to Liver Transplant are:

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