
The liver is the body’s largest organ. It is located on the upper right side of the abdomen, under the diaphragm, and to the right of the stomach. It is a dark reddish-brown organ that normally weighs about 3 pounds (1.4 kg). It holds about 13 percent of the body’s blood supply at any given moment.
The liver carries out many important functions, such as:
A liver transplant is a surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person. If you want to get a liver transplant at Manipal, you have to ensure that the donor is a family member, because this is one of the prerequisites here.
An entire liver may be transplanted, or just a section. Because the liver is the only organ in the body able to regenerate, a transplanted portion of a liver can rebuild normal capacity within weeks.
Liver Transplant Cost in India
We have different liver transplant cost in India based on the patient condition. To get more details on our liver transplant package, you may make an appointment or contact us at mipc@manipalhospitals.com
No donor will donate his or her liver without clearing the legal formalities formulated by the Government of India. The donor has to be a blood relative of the recipient. The donor is required to present the legal documents for the same. All the test results need to be submitted before the liver transplantation takes place. The patients should also sign a brain death and declaration agreement in the presence of the donor.
Here are the documents needed (all in originals) for the patient to get a go ahead with the transplantation:
Other formalities will be taken care of in Bengaluru, coordinated by The International Patient Care team at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru.
A liver transplant is usually recommended when the liver has been damaged to the point that it cannot perform its normal functions, also known as an end-stage liver disease (ESLD). ESLD is a serious, life-threatening liver dysfunction, which may result from various conditions of the liver.
Some diseases that may progress to ESLD include, but are not limited to, the following:
There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a liver transplant.
A liver transplant may NOT be done if you have other chronic illness, such as certain infections, heart, lung, or liver disease, metastatic cancer or other life-threatening diseases, noncompliance with the treatment regimen, or alcohol consumption.
As with any surgery, complications can occur. Some complications from liver transplantation may include, but are not limited to, the following:
The medications used to prevent or treat rejection can cause a variety of side effects which can be explained by your doctor in detail before the procedure.
There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.
If you have a chronic liver failure, you may be referred to a transplant center by your doctor. The transplant center team will conduct a number of tests and procedures to determine whether you are eligible to undergo a transplant. The same tests are conducted on the living donor (at Manipal, it has to be your family member). The potential donor must have a compatible blood type and be in good health. Since a living family member (living-related transplant) is donating you their liver, the transplant may be performed at a planned time.
Tests, procedures, and consultations you may undergo include:
The transplant team will factor in all information from interviews, your medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests in determining your eligibility for liver transplantation.
The following steps will precede the transplant:
Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.
Liver transplantation requires a stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s practices.
Generally, a liver transplant follows this process:
The transplanted liver portion in your body and the portion left behind in the donor’s body regenerate rapidly.
Surgery can take up to 12 hours, depending on your situation.
After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you may be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) where you will be closely monitored for several days. Liver transplant surgery requires an in-hospital stay of 7-14 days or longer. Upon recovery, you will be discharged from the hospital.
You will most likely have a breathing tube inserted through your throat and put on a ventilator until you are stable enough to breathe on your own. A thin plastic tube may be inserted through your nose into your stomach to remove air that you swallow. You will not be able to eat or drink until the tube is removed, which will be done once your bowels resume normal function.
While you are recuperating, blood samples will be taken frequently to monitor the status of the new liver, and the condition your heart, kidneys, lungs, and blood system. You may be put on special IV drips to maintain normal blood pressure and heart function. As your condition stabilizes, these drips will be gradually reduced.
Once the breathing and stomach tubes have been removed depending on your condition, you may be given a liquid diet, which may be gradually replaced by more solid foods as tolerated.
You will be prescribed drugs called immunosuppressants help keep your immune system from attacking your new liver. Additional drugs help reduce the risk of other complications, such as infection, after your transplant. Your medications will be closely monitored to ensure
You should get out of bed and move around several times a day as per the doctor’s advice. You will be given pain-relieving medication for soreness around the surgical site. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medications.
Nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, physical therapists, and other members of the transplant team will teach you how to take care of yourself once you are discharged from the hospital. However, follow-ups visits the liver transplant department will be required. The transplant team will develop a checkup schedule for you.
Aftercare at home
Once you are home, it will be important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Your doctor will give you specific bathing instructions. The stitches or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit if they were not removed before leaving the hospital.
You should not drive until your doctor tells you to. Other activity restrictions may apply.
Inform your doctor if you experience the following symptoms, which may indicate rejection or infection:
Consult your transplant team with any concerns you have. Frequent visits to and contact with the transplant team are essential.
Your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.
Recovery
Recovering from a liver transplant can be a long, slow process, but most people will eventually be able to return to most of their normal activities and have a good quality of life.
It can take up to a year to fully recover, although you’ll normally be able to start gradually building up your activities after a few weeks.
You’ll have regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress after a liver transplant. These will be frequent at first – usually once a week for the first 4-6 weeks – but may eventually only be necessary once every few months, or even once a year.
During these appointments, you will have tests to assess your liver and kidney function and to check the level of immunosuppressant medication in your blood.
Most people will need to have a normal, healthy diet after a liver transplant. Check with a dietician if you need advice on your diet. You should avoid driving for up to two months because the transplant procedure and immunosuppressant medication can affect your vision, reaction times and ability to perform emergency stops. Speak to your doctor first if you feel ready to drive again.
Exercises, such as walking, are recommended. However, contact sports and swimming should be avoided for several months until you have fully recovered, as there is a risk of picking up an injury or infection.
How long you need to be off work will depend on your job and how quickly you recover. Some people will be able to return to work after three months, although others may need more time off. Your care team can advise you on this.
Remember that you will need to continue taking your immunosuppressant medications after returning to your normal activities, as there is a risk that your body will reject the new liver if you stop taking them.
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