A liver transplant is a surgical procedure that removes a diseased liver and replaces it with a healthy liver from a donor.
Liver transplantation is considered when a patient’s liver is failing and other treatments are no longer effective. It’s a complex procedure that requires extensive evaluation, careful donor matching, and lifelong follow-up care.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Yadav has performed over 500 successful liver transplants and works with a multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
Different approaches to liver transplantation based on donor source and patient needs
Portion of liver from a living donor
A procedure where a portion of a healthy person's liver is transplanted into a patient with liver failure. The liver’s unique ability to regenerate makes this possible.
Benefits:
Comprehensive assessment process
Potential living donors undergo extensive medical, psychological, and social evaluations to ensure they are suitable candidates and to minimize risks.
Evaluation includes:
For both donor and recipient
After donation, the liver begins regenerating immediately. Most donors return to normal activities within 4–6 weeks, while recipients begin their recovery journey with the new liver portion.
Timeline:
Understanding the comprehensive process from evaluation to long-term follow-up
1. Initial Evaluation
Comprehensive assessment to determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for liver transplantation. Includes medical, psychological, and social evaluations.
1. Initial Evaluation
Comprehensive assessment to determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for liver transplantation. Includes medical, psychological, and social evaluations.
2. Waiting Period
For deceased donor transplants, patients are placed on a waiting list and prioritized based on medical urgency. Living donor evaluation may proceed in parallel.
2. Waiting Period
For deceased donor transplants, patients are placed on a waiting list and prioritized based on medical urgency. Living donor evaluation may proceed in parallel.
3. Transplant Surgery
The surgical procedure to remove the diseased liver and implant the donor liver. Typically takes 4–12 hours depending on complexity.
3. Transplant Surgery
The surgical procedure to remove the diseased liver and implant the donor liver. Typically takes 4–12 hours depending on complexity.
4. Hospital Recovery
Initial recovery in the hospital, typically lasting 7–14 days, focusing on stabilization, medication management, and monitoring for complications.
4. Hospital Recovery
Initial recovery in the hospital, typically lasting 7–14 days, focusing on stabilization, medication management, and monitoring for complications.
5. Long-term Follow-up
Lifelong monitoring and management to ensure the health of the transplanted liver and address any complications or medication side effects.
5. Long-term Follow-up
Lifelong monitoring and management to ensure the health of the transplanted liver and address any complications or medication side effects.
Answers to common questions about liver transplantation
Patients with end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure, or certain liver cancers may be eligible. Each case is evaluated individually, considering factors like overall health, other medical conditions, psychological readiness, and social support.
Waiting times vary widely based on blood type, MELD score (which indicates disease severity), organ availability, and region. Some patients wait a few weeks, while others may wait months or years. Living donor transplantation can significantly reduce waiting time.
Initial hospital recovery takes 1–2 weeks. Most patients can return to normal activities within 3–6 months, though full recovery may take up to a year. Lifelong immunosuppressive medications are required to prevent rejection of the new liver.
Risks include surgical complications, organ rejection, infection, medication side effects, and recurrence of the original disease. However, with modern techniques and medications, outcomes have improved significantly, with excellent long-term survival rates.
Living donors must be in excellent health, typically between 18–60 years old, with a compatible blood type. They undergo extensive evaluation to ensure they can safely donate. Donors can be related or unrelated to the recipient.
Recipients need to take immunosuppressive medications as prescribed, attend regular follow-up appointments, maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid alcohol, and be vigilant about infection prevention. These changes support long-term liver health.