Liver Transplant Cost in New Delhi

Liver transplantation is done only when the patient is critically ill becasue of liver failure. Main causes of liver failure include

• Liver Cirrhosis – loss of healthy liver cells, replaced by scar tissue 
• Biliary Duct Atresia – Abnormal/absence of bile ducts 
• Alcoholic Fatty Liver or Non - Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease
• Hemochromatosis - a hereditary disease that may cause liver damage due to iron salt deposits in the tissues
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) - inflammation, swelling and scarring of bile ducts inside and outside the liver
• Wilson's disease - a genetic disorder that causes copper deposits in the tissues leading to copper poisioning in liver
• Early stage Liver cancer 
• Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy leading to liver cirrhosis 

In the following cases liver transplant may not pe performed:

• Active or Advanced cancer outside the liver 
• Uncontrolled infection 
• If the patient is an alcoholic 
• Heart Diseases 
• Brain death 
• Advanced age 
• Portal Vein 
• Thrombosis 
• HIV infection or AIDS 
• Psychiatric illnesses 

After the patient is declared as the candidate for liver transplant, the surgeon will recommend the following tests

• Blood and Urine test
• Ultrasound of the liver
• Cancer screening
• Tests for checking the condition of heart

After the tests, the surgeon will discuss issue a letter that will allow you to be on the waiting list to get liver from deceased donor.

The surgeon will also discuss the possibility of getting a part of the liver from family or friend. Finding a compatible donor is the most important thing to do before liver transplant.

Once the liver is available for the transplant:

1. Surgeon will explain the procedure and give a consent form (which contains information about the procedure). Signing this consent form means a written permission for the surgery. 
2. The patient is not given anything by mouth a few hours prior to the surgery. Fluids will be given with the help of IV drip.

The team that performs a liver transplant comprises two or more surgeons, hepatologist, anesthesiologists, trained paramedical staff (transplant nurses & support staff). 

Liver transplant procedure is a complex procedure of approximately 6 to 12 hours performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure:

• The patient will be asked to wear the gown and IV lines are placed.
• Before the surgery starts, the patient is made comfortable by engaging in a conversation by the surgeon & the anaesthesiologist. 
• The anaesthesia is given via intravenous (IV) catheter. 
• A tube is inserted into the lungs & connected to the ventilator to assist respiration. 
• After cleaning the area, an incision is made across the abdomen to access the liver.
• Blood supply to the liver is disconnected and bile ducts are carefully removed. 
• The damaged liver is replaced with the new liver. Blood vessles and bile ducts are re-attached. 
• If it is living donor, then first a portion of liver is taken from the donor and it is transplanted in place of damaged liver. 
• After the procedure, the incision is sutured and the patient is shifted to ICU for further observation. 

After the procedure, the patient is closely observed in the ICU – Pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, etc are monitored at regular intervals. 

After the surgery, the patient can expect

• Fever
• Swelling in the body
• Nausea/vomiting
• Tiredness
• Bleeding from incision site
• Pain in abdomen

Blood tests are done to ensure the post surgery recovery of the patient. The tube in the lungs is removed after few hours or few days. The other tubes in the throat, urinary bladder are also removed after few days. 

The patient will be allowed to take clear fluids after the condition stabilizes, followed by soft diet and normal diet. The patients are advised to move and walk around as much as possible. 

The patient can go home in 10 to 15 days after the surgery. 

Immunosuppressants and blood thinning medications will have to be taken for the rest of the life.

Liver transplant is a complex surgery, and has significant risks and complications:

• Rejection of new liver by the body 
• Blockage or Leakage bile ducts 
• Bleeding 
• Infection 
• Blood vessel blockage
• New liver may not function properly for some time after the transplant 

Immunosuppressants and blood thinning medications may have the following side effects

• High BP and cholestrol
• Diarrhea
• Diabetes
• In rare cases, cancer