Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Liver Transplant or Liver transplantation?

Liver Transplant is also known as Liver Transplantation. It is a surgical procedure that involves removing the diseased or damaged liver from the patient and replacing it 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 os transplanted depending on the severity of the liver disease. 

What are the advantages of a Liver Transplant?

Advantages of Liver Transplant are:

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

What are the indications of Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant is indicated in the following conditions:

1. Liver disease not responding to the medications
2. Liver cancer not affecting the surrounding tissues and blood vessels
3. End-stage of liver disease
4. Chronic liver dysfunction

What is the preparation for Liver Transplant?

1. Inform the doctor about past and present medical and medication history.
2. Health condition of the patient will be evaluated by the doctor.
3. Few tests may be recommended by the doctor such as liver function tests, blood tests, and urine tests.
4. The doctor will examine the patient for MELD score.
5. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided for 6 months.

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. All vital signs along with the liver function will be monitored by nurses and doctors for up to 4-5 days in the hospital.
2. The patient will be discharged from the hospital with instructions after a stable liver function.
3. Immunosuppressants may be given to avoid liver rejection by the immune system.
4. The doctor will plan several follow-ups to evaluate and to examine the condition of the transplanted 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 Gurgaon?

Liver Transplant cost in Gurgaon depends on the following factors:

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

The minimum cost of Liver transplant in Gurgaon starts from Rs.14,00,000.

Average price of Liver transplant in Gurgaon is approximately Rs.18,25,000.

Maximum charges of Liver transplant in Gurgaon rises up to Rs. 28,00,000.

Is Liver Transplant a major surgery or minor surgery?

Liver Transplantation involves replacing the diseased liver with a healthy liver and so it is major surgery. 

What is the eligibility criteria for a Liver Transplant?

A Liver Transplant can be performed on:

1. Individuals suffering from liver cancer that is not spreading to surrounding tissues and blood vessels.
2. People with liver disease that is not responding to the medications.
3. Individuals suffering from active chronic liver disease.

What is the ineligibility criteria for a Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant cannot be done in the following individuals:

1. Individuals who cannot control alcohol consumption.
2. People 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.
5. Individuals who consumed alcohol in the past 6 months.

What are the risks and complications associated with Liver Transplant?

Risks and complications of Liver Transplant are the following:

1. Organ [liver] rejection by the immune system
2. Bile ducts shrinkage
3. Loss of blood
4. Formation of blood clots
5. Leakage of the bile ducts
6. Organ[liver] failure
7. Infection at the site of surgery

How long does it take to complete Liver Transplant?

4-8 hours may be required to complete Liver Transplant surgery. 

What is the recovery time?

Individuals who undergo Liver Transplant may take about 3-5 months to recover. 

What is the success rate of Liver Transplant?

Liver Transplant success rate depends on factors such as:

1. Experience of the Surgeon
2. Severity of the liver disease
3. Immune system of the receiver

Overall, the success rate of a liver transplant ranges between 75% to 89%.

Is Liver Transplant painful?

The patient will be under the anesthetic effect and does not feel any pain during the surgery. 

Is Liver Transplant Permanent?

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

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

Liver Transplant long-term effects are the following:

1. Dysfunction of the graft
2. Immunosuppression medications for almost life long
3. Increases the life expectancy of patients suffering from chronic liver disease
4. Improves the patient quality of life
5. Increases the risk of developing a heart disease

Can Liver Transplant be detected in the future?

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

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

If Liver Transplantation fails, then the doctor may prescribe immunosuppressants for almost a lifetime. 

What are the alternatives for Liver Transplant?

Alternatives to Liver Transplant are:

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