Liver Transplant is an advanced surgical
procedure that is often an only option to treat a diseased or failing liver. It
involves the removal of non functional liver and replacing with a portion of
healthy liver. It is usually obtained from a healthy donor. Liver failure is
known to be caused due to scarring of liver in most of the cases which is
referred as Liver Cirrhosis. It is of two types – Acute Liver Failure and
Chronic Liver Failure. The role of Liver Transplant is more evident in Chronic
cases even though transplant surgery is pretty much an option in Acute cases.
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver
are among the major causes of Liver Cirrhosis.
Liver Transplant Surgery is an approved
treatment modality in India, it is also highly regulated. The role of
transplant is clearly established in treating patients with liver failure. But,
careful evaluation is important to assess its eligibility for each and every
patient. The intent is to provide a renewed healthy liver that will help
patients to resume normal life. It is a therapy recommended with curative
intent. If successful, it will have immense health benefits while failure can’t
be completely ruled out. Transplant is also clubbed with medications meant for
pre-transplant and post-transplant phases. Liver function tests and other
diagnostic parameters are assessed to determine the eligibility for transplant.
The preparation phase is also meant for donor assessment. Liver derived from
diseased persons and live donors may have similar results or outcome, it may
not be a key determining factor.
Liver Transplant is a highly specialized treatment
segment and can’t be done at every other hospital or surgical setup. The
transplant requires advanced facilities, infrastructure and trained
professionals to carry out the procedure. There are trained transplant
counselors and coordinators in most of the reputed hospitals. They will help
patients with comprehensive information and other important details related to
nutrition, personal care and preparedness. Patients are encouraged to compare
the options available based on the statistics of various important parameters.
It is also good to confirm if other supportive departments are available on the
same premises.
Not all Hepatologists are trained to perform
Transplant Surgery. Liver Transplant Surgeons are specially trained and those
with adequate experience should be preferred. When finalizing your preferred
surgeon, it is important to go by the physician’s reputation rather than the
brand of the hospital. The success and failure rates mostly depend on the
physician’s skill and careful planning by the entire team involved in the
process. In some cases, highly experienced consultants are also very expensive
while the surgery is not personally performed by them. Patients can discuss
such specific details and make their choice regarding their preferred treating
physician.
Kenosis Health can assist patients with the
feedback based on certain well known parameters regarding their choice of Hospital
and Physician when it comes to Liver Transplant and related treatments. Reach
us for more insights.