Liver Transplantation
Liver transplantation is a major surgical procedure in which a diseased or severely damaged liver is replaced with a healthy liver, or a suitable portion of a donor liver. It may be considered for selected patients with advanced liver disease, liver failure, certain liver cancers, or other serious conditions when other treatment options are no longer effective.
When Is a Liver Transplant Needed?
A liver transplant may be considered for patients with advanced cirrhosis, acute or chronic liver failure, complications from chronic liver disease, or selected cases of liver cancer. Eligibility depends on the underlying condition, overall health, and detailed assessment by a specialist transplant team.
Liver Transplant Evaluation and Procedure
Before transplantation, patients undergo medical evaluation, blood tests, imaging, and assessment of heart, lung, and kidney function. Depending on the circumstances, transplantation may involve a deceased donor or a living donor liver transplant.
Recovery After Liver Transplant
Recovery requires close medical follow-up, regular blood tests, prescribed immunosuppressant medicines, nutritional support, and lifestyle adjustments. These medicines help reduce the risk of organ rejection and generally need to be taken long term.