Liver failure is when the liver has shut down or isn’t working well enough to perform its functions. It is a life-threatening condition that warrants immediate medical attention. It can occur either suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).
A liver transplant (or hepatic transplant) is a surgical procedure involving the replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person, who can be living or dead. A whole or a portion of the liver maybe transplanted. Transplant from brain dead donor is called deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) or cadaver liver transplant whereas if donor is living it is called Living donor Liver Transplant (LDLT). Living donor liver transplant is possible because of two reasons. Nature has given lot of extra liver, Normal healthy person needs only 25-30% of their liver, and secondly Liver is the only organ in our body which regenerates. Liver grows back to 90% of original size in 6-8 weeks. Because of these two reasons family members can donate part of their Liver to their loved ones.
Department of Liver Transplant and Hepato Pancreato Biliary Surgery, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai, comprises of experts with extensive experience in managing patients with all varieties of liver disease. Centre provides entire spectrum of services ranging from partial and complete liver transplant (living and deceased donor transplantation surgeries), combined multi-organ transplant (heart, kidney and liver transplant in the same procedure) and complete treatment for liver and Biliary tumours such as Liver Resection surgeries, Trans Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency embolization (RFA). Fortis Hospital, Mumbai is equipped with all high end diagnostic machines (3 TMRI,128 slice CT, ARFI, Fibroscan) for diagnosing all kinds of Liver problems
Our transplant team utilises a collaborative approach, working across departments like Hepatology, gastroenterology, radiology, oncology and paediatrics, to bring customised care to patients at each stage of treatment.
We are leading in the city for the best surgical outcomes, at par with international standards. We have an overall 96% survival in our Liver transplant recipients, this includes 100% survival for DDLT recipients (last 2 years statistics). Our Liver Transplant team is proud to provide full spectrum of transplant services which includes Adult and paediatric Liver Transplant, Blood Group Mismatch (ABO incompatible), Combined Liver Kidney transplant, Living and Cadaver Liver Transplant. Pivotal to our liver transplant program is the psychosocial and mental wellbeing support, health education and advanced care accessible to the patient and the family throughout the clinical journey. Patient is actively involved in understanding the risks and benefits of the care plan, to enable a smooth transition post-surgery, to lead a longer, better quality of life.
Our multi-disciplinary liver transplant team ensuring personalised care:
The team is ably supported by intensive care specialists, infectious diseases specialists, radiologists and clinical pharmacologists.
Our team has performed more than 75 liver transplants.
The liver performs many important functions in our body including making proteins, breaking down nutrients to generate energy from food and removing toxins. Liver is workhorse of the body and does more functions than any solid organ in our body. A liver transplant is required in three main categories of patient 1. Cirrhosis (chronic Liver Disease) 2. Acute Liver Failure 3. Liver cancer
Liver failure may happen suddenly due to certain drug-induced injury or infection. This is called acute or fulminant liver failure. This condition can be very serious and in Fulminant Liver Failure liver transplant is a lifesaving procedure. Cirrhosis or chronic liver disease is a condition where Liver injury happens over long duration of time, this can be months or years. Cirrhosis is a common cause of end-stage liver disease, in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. Other major causes leading to cirrhosis and liver failure leading to liver transplant are:
Once these tests are completed, our transplant team assesses the patient’s clinical condition to undergo a liver transplant and decides on the best treatment plan. Patients are seen by all team members and after thorough discussion in our Multi-Disciplinary Meeting (MDT) we decides and offer tailor made treatment options for each and every patient. On meeting all criteria, patient is put on the waiting list for a liver transplant.
A liver can be donated by someone whose alive or dead.
A living donor - in a living donor transplant, surgeon takes part of the liver for the implant in the patient’s body. The liver grows back to its regular size in a few weeks.
Who can be a living donor?
A living donor is a family member, whose blood type and body size need to match with the patient. A donor between 18 and 60 years old is ideal. The donor undergoes various tests to assess clinical condition for donation:
Deceased donor (Cadaveric donation) - Such a donation is possible from a brain-dead person whose family wishes to donate the person's organs before discontinuing life support. This situation arises in a hospital ICU in a person after an accident or head injury. Allocation of such organs is strictly according to blood group match, time on waiting list and urgency of requirement. Donor identity and other details are always kept confidential.
Staying healthy while on the waiting list
The number of people waiting for a liver is much more than the available deceased donor livers. During this long wait for a donated liver or a scheduled transplant surgery, it’s important to stay healthy. Being healthy and active will help in speedy recovery from surgery. Points to keep in mind:
Liver failure is when the liver has shut down or isn’t working well enough to perform its functions. It is a life-threatening condition that warrants immediate medical attention. It can occur either suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by several viruses, heavy use of alcohol, chemicals, drugs, certain genetic disorders, etc. In some cases, liver inflammation can be caused by an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks the liver, known as autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatitis can be categorised into different types depending on its causes. Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E are the five main viruses that cause different forms of viral hepatitis, which is the most common type.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. It occurs most often in people with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis that may be caused by hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection, alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease of the liver, etc.
Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare but aggressive type of cancer that develops in the bile ducts. The bile ducts are a network of tubes that connects the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine. A number of diseases can block your bile ducts, affecting the flow of bile.
Liver metastases refer to cancerous tumours that have spread to the liver from another part of the body. Almost any cancer can spread to the liver, resulting in liver metastases, also known as secondary liver cancer. However, some of the most common cancers that spread to the liver are colorectal cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, and melanoma cancer.
Biliary atresia is a rare condition commonly seen in infants. This congenital condition occurs when the bile ducts outside or inside the liver are scarred and blocked. When an infant has biliary atresia, bile flow to the small intestine is blocked. Hence, bile builds up in the liver and damages it.
The Fortis Hospital, Mulund Liver Transplant Program is one of the largest and most experienced in Mumbai, Western India. Our team of hepatologists and liver specialists specializes in the newest and best techniques. Each year, our doctors and surgeons diagnose and treat thousands of people with liver disease, using the most advanced and latest options. Patients who opt for liver transplants at Fortis Hospital Mulund, one of the best hospital for liver transplant in Mumbai, can experience several advantages. These advantages include exceptional results, comprehensive care, and smooth transitions throughout their treatment.
Fortis Hospital Mulund
Senior Consultant & Chief Surgeon - Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery