Adult Transplant surgery

Understanding

What is Adult Transplant surgery?

Adult Liver Transplant is a surgical procedure in which a damaged or failing liver is removed and replaced with a healthy donor liver. The donor liver may come from:

  • A living donor (Living Donor Liver Transplant)
  • A deceased donor (Cadaveric Liver Transplant)

The liver has a unique ability to regenerate, allowing a portion of a healthy donor’s liver to grow and function normally in both the donor and recipient.

Who May Need a Liver Transplant?

  • A liver transplant may be recommended for patients suffering from:

    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Chronic Hepatitis B or C
    • Alcoholic Liver Disease
    • Fatty Liver Disease (NASH)
    • Acute Liver Failure
    • Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
    • Autoimmune Liver Diseases
    • Primary Biliary Cholangitis
    • Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
    • Genetic and Metabolic Liver Disorders

Diagnosis of Adult Liver Transplant

Medical History and Clinical Assessment

The transplant team performs a comprehensive review of:

    • Liver disease history
    • Previous treatments and hospitalizations
    • Current symptoms and complications
    • Existing medical conditions
    • Medication history

Blood Investigations

A series of blood tests are conducted to evaluate:

    • Liver function
    • Kidney function
    • Blood clotting ability
    • Complete blood count
    • Viral hepatitis status
    • Blood group and tissue compatibility
    • Nutritional status

Liver Function Assessment

Specialized tests help determine the extent of liver damage and include:

    • Bilirubin levels
    • Albumin levels
    • INR and coagulation profile
    • MELD Score assessment
    • Child-Pugh Score evaluation

Cardiac Evaluation

Patients undergo cardiovascular assessment to ensure fitness for major surgery:

    • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
    • Echocardiography
    • Stress Testing when indicated
    • Cardiology consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to your questions

Q1: What is an Adult Liver Transplant?

Adult Liver Transplant is a surgical procedure in which a diseased or failing liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a living or deceased donor.

Q2: Who may require a liver transplant?

A liver transplant may be recommended for patients with:

  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Chronic Hepatitis B or C
  • Fatty Liver Disease (NASH)
  • Alcoholic Liver Disease
  • Acute Liver Failure
  • Liver Cancer
  • Autoimmune Liver Diseases
Q3:What are the signs that a liver transplant may be needed?

Common signs include:

  • Persistent jaundice
  • Abdominal swelling (ascites)
  • Recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Severe fatigue
  • Confusion or altered mental status
  • Significant weight loss
  • Frequent hospitalizations due to liver complications
Q4: How is eligibility for liver transplantation determined?

Eligibility is determined through a comprehensive evaluation that includes blood tests, imaging studies, cardiac assessment, pulmonary evaluation, infection screening, nutritional assessment, and psychological evaluation.

Q5:How long does liver transplant surgery take?

The procedure typically takes between 6 and 12 hours, depending on the complexity of the case.