Liver Transplant
Liver transplantation is the surgical replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a deceased donor (cadaveric transplant) or a portion of liver from a living donor (living donor liver transplant — LDLT). The liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate; the donor's partial liver and the recipient's new partial liver each grow to full size within weeks. Liver transplant is the only curative treatment for end-stage liver disease. At Iswarya Hospital, the programme is led by our experienced transplant surgery team.
🔬 How the Procedure Is Performed
- 1
The recipient is evaluated and placed on the transplant waiting list.
- 2
For living donor: comprehensive evaluation of a family member donor.
- 3
LDLT: the donor's right lobe (~60%) is removed laparoscopically; the recipient's diseased liver is completely excised.
- 4
The donor lobe is connected to the recipient's bile ducts, hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein.
- 5
Meticulous bile duct reconstruction is critical to prevent bile leaks.
- 6
Recovery in the liver ICU; immunosuppression is started immediately.
✅ Benefits of Liver Transplant
- ✓Curative for end-stage liver disease (cirrhosis, liver failure)
- ✓5-year survival rate of 70–80% in modern programmes
- ✓Living donor programme significantly reduces waiting time
- ✓Removes the underlying disease and its complications (encephalopathy, varices, ascites)
- ✓Transforms quality of life — from near-total disability to normal function
📋 How to Prepare
- Thorough evaluation: cardiac, pulmonary, renal function tests.
- Abstinence from alcohol for at least 6 months (for alcohol-related liver disease).
- Cancer screening to exclude extrahepatic malignancy.
- Vaccination: hepatitis A & B, influenza, pneumococcal, COVID-19.
- Nutritional optimisation and physiotherapy to maximise fitness.
⚠️ Possible Risks & Side Effects
- Primary non-function — transplanted liver fails to work initially (rare)
- Hepatic artery thrombosis (clotting) — the most feared early complication
- Bile duct complications: leaks or strictures
- Rejection — managed with immunosuppression
- Infections (bacterial, fungal, viral) due to immunosuppression
Your surgeon will discuss all risks with you before the procedure and take appropriate precautions to minimise them.
💊 Post-Procedure Care
- ICU monitoring for 3–7 days; total hospital stay 3–4 weeks.
- Daily blood tests initially to monitor liver function and rejection.
- Lifelong immunosuppressive medications — never stop.
- Avoid alcohol and hepatotoxic medications completely.
- Annual liver function tests, cancer screening, and bone density checks.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can alcohol liver disease be treated with a transplant?
Yes. Patients with alcohol-related liver disease are eligible for transplant provided they have maintained sobriety for at least 6 months and show commitment to abstinence. This is evaluated by the multidisciplinary transplant team.
What is a living donor liver transplant?
A healthy family member donates a portion (usually the right lobe) of their liver. Both donor and recipient livers regenerate to full size within 6–8 weeks. LDLT avoids the long waiting list for a deceased donor organ.
🏥 Liver Transplant at Iswarya Hospital
Led by Prof. Dr. G. Manoharan, one of India's most distinguished Surgical Gastroenterologists and Liver Transplant Specialists, specializing in advanced surgeries for gastrointestinal, liver, pancreatic, and biliary disorders.
ℹ️ This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual treatment plans may vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.