Admin April 23, 2025
Liver Transplantation: All You Need to Know About This Vital Lifeline Procedure
The liver is one of the most vital organs in our body, but due to multiple reasons
which will be stated below, individuals sometimes need a liver transplant. An
individual may need a liver transplant whenever it is no longer functioning properly
due to severe damage or disease, which leads to different conditions known as
end-stage liver disease or liver failure.
Reasons for Liver Transplant
- Chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis Are caused by long-term liver damage and
are a scouring of the liver example, from hepatitis B/C or excessive alcohol
abuse. Another chronic liver disease is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD). And the last one is alcoholic liver disease, which is severe damage
from long-term alcohol consumption.
- Sometimes, sudden liver dysfunction caused by toxins (e.g. overdose of
acetaminophen) infections or autoimmune conditions can lead to acute liver
failure.
- Cancer liver is also the reason for liver transplant surgery, particularly
hepatocellular carcinoma that is not spread beyond the liver.
- Some individuals inherit liver diseases like hemochromatosis, which is excessive
iron buildup and Wilson's disease, which is copper accumulation in the body,
because of which one may require liver transplant surgery.
Types of Liver Transplant
There are two types of liver transplants. The first is when a healthy liver from
someone who has died is transplanted. The second is when a portion of a liver is
transplanted from a living donor (e.g., a relative). In this case, the liver
regenerates in both the donor and the recipient.
Processes Involved in The Transplant
- The first step is for the patient to get evaluated, in which different tests are
conducted to determine eligibility. The tests may include blood work, imaging,
and assessment of overall health.
- The second step is when the patients are placed on a transplant list (i.e.
waiting list) based on the severity of the condition (MELD score- model for
end-stage liver disease).
- The next step is the surgery, which is performed under general anaesthesia,
wherein the diseased liver is removed, and the donor liver is placed.
- The last step is recovery, which includes a hospital stay of about one to three
weeks, followed by multiple months of monitoring and medication.
The Risk Involved and Related Complications
Liver transplant surgery is one of the major and more critical surgeries, and it may
involve certain risks and complications. More on this can be found by visiting the
centres for the best
liver transplant surgery in Gurgaon. The following are the risks and
complications:
- The body may reject the new liver, as the immune system deems it foreign and may
attack it to prevent damage. Symptoms of rejection may include fever, jaundice,
fatigue, and abdominal pain.
- There could be some complications in the bile duct, such as leakage or
blockages.
- Right after the surgery, patients are extremely prone to infections due to the
immunosuppressant medications.
- Also, there could be common surgical risks like bleeding and blood clots.
- There are chances for disease to recur in conditions like hepatitis C or
autoimmune hepatitis that can return and cause damage to the liver.
Liver Transplant and Life Afterwards
Your life changes after a major surgery like a liver transplant, and to lead a
healthy life after such a surgery, you have to take care of yourself. Lifestyle
changes may include changes in diet, regular exercise, taking care of your mental
health, and monitoring your regular liver function to detect any signs of
complications or rejections. If you are looking for a liver transplant surgery, you
can contact a liver transplant surgeon in sector 27 Gurgaon.
Conclusion
The liver is one of the most critical organs of our body, carrying out multiple
functions, and to take care of it is our responsibility; however the liver may get
damaged due to our actions like consuming alcohol and eating a lot of unhealthy
food. However, there could be other reasons as well like inherited conditions. To
know how to keep a healthy liver and more you can visit the best liver hospital
in Gurgaon.