A liver transplant (or hepatic transplant) is a surgical procedure involving replacing a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person, who can be living or dead. A whole or a portion of the liver may be transplanted. A transplant from brain dead donor is called a deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) or cadaver liver transplant whereas if the donor is living it is called a Living donor Liver Transplant (LDLT). Living donor liver transplant is possible because of two reasons. Nature has given us an extra liver, Normal healthy person needs only 25-30% of their liver, and secondly, the liver is the only organ in our body that regenerates. The liver grows to 90% of the original size in 6-8 weeks. Because of these two reasons, family members can donate part of their Liver to their loved ones.
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 a 100% survival for DDLT recipients (last 2 years' statistics). Our Liver Transplant team is proud to provide the full spectrum of transplant services which includes Adult and Pediatric Liver Transplants, Blood Group Mismatch (ABO incompatible), Combined Liver Kidney transplants, and Living and Cadaver Liver Transplants. Pivotal to our liver transplant program is the psychosocial and mental well-being support, health education, and advanced care accessible to the patient and the family throughout the clinical journey. The 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.
The liver performs many important functions in our body including making proteins, breaking down nutrients to generate energy from food, and removing toxins. The 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
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:
A liver can be donated by someone whose alive or dead.
A living donor - in a living donor transplant, the 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.
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 the waiting list, and urgency of the 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.
Fortis Hospital Mulund
Senior Consultant & Chief Surgeon - Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery
Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Navi Mumbai
Senior Consultant & Chief Surgeon - Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery
