A liver transplant is a complex surgical procedure that removes a diseased liver and replaces it with a healthy liver, either from a deceased donor or a portion donated from a living donor. The liver is the largest organ of the human body and is responsible for multiple functions. Liver failure is a potentially fatal condition; a liver transplant is the final life-saving option.
A liver transplant is done under general anaesthesia. A highly complex surgery may take up to 12 hours, depending on the condition of the patients.
If the patient is receiving a transplant from a living donor, the surgeons will operate on the donor first.
A portion of the liver is removed from the donor and place the donated organ in the body. The blood vessels and bile ducts are connected to the new liver. In many cases, the unused transplanted portion of the liver and the left behind bit regenerate rapidly, reaching average volume.
In case of receiving the living from a deceased donor, it will be scheduled at short notice. The surgeon makes a long incision on the right side of the abdomen and accesses the liver. The diseased liver is then removed and places the new liver in the body. The blood vessels and bile ducts are then connected to the liver. With the liver intact, the surgeon stitches and closes the incisions. The patient will be closely monitored in a post-operative ICU for the next few days till the liver functions entirely and to reduce the risk of rejection.
A liver transplant is a complex surgical procedure that removes a diseased liver and replaces it with a healthy liver, either from a deceased donor or a portion donated from a living donor. The liver is the largest organ of the human body and is responsible for multiple functions. Liver failure is a potentially fatal condition; a liver transplant is the final life-saving option.
Read MoreThe patient may have to spend a few weeks in the hospital after transplantation.
The recipient of a liver transplant needs to be on immunosuppressants and other medication for the rest of their life to reduce the risk of infections and rejection of the organ by the body.
The success rate of a liver transplant is around 95%.