Best Hospital for Liver Transplant Surgery in Mumbai

A liver transplant is a surgical procedure of replacing a damaged or diseased liver with a healthy one from a donor. It is usually done for end-stage liver disease or failure. The surgery is invasive and requires proper precautions to be followed after. Though the surgery accompanies certain risks, the procedure has a high success rate. Doctors usually recommend immunosuppressants or therapy to prevent organ rejection and long-term medical monitoring.

The liver is responsible for processing nutrients, medication, and hormones, as well as making proteins that help the blood clot and remove bacteria and toxins from the blood. But it is also prone to several conditions, such as - viral hepatitis, cancer, etc., that are not treatable with medications and may require liver transplant surgery.

Gleneagles Hospitals, also known as the best hospital for liver transplant surgery in Mumbai,​ provide world-class liver transplant programs with advanced surgical techniques and post-operative care. The procedure provides a second chance at life by extending survival rates and preventing complications. The procedure requires a multidisciplinary approach involving hepatologists, transplant surgeons, and a specialised team to ensure optimal results.

A liver transplant is a surgery that involves removing an improper-functioning liver and replacing it with a healthy one. Also, sometimes, a portion of the liver is removed to ensure proper functioning of the organ. It is usually done as a treatment option for people who are suffering from chronic or end-stage liver conditions, which may lead to organ failure. 

There are three different types of liver transplant procedures:

1. Orthotopic Liver Transplant: An orthotopic liver transplant is the most common type of liver transplant, where the diseased or failed liver is completely removed and replaced with a healthy liver from a deceased donor. The process involves matching the donor organ with the recipient based on blood type, body size, and medical compatibility.

The new liver is placed in the anatomical position of the original liver. Thus ensuring proper function and blood flow. The surgery lasts somewhere between 6 - 12 hours and requires proper vascular and bile duct connections.

2. Living Donor Transplant: A living donor transplant includes removing a portion of a healthy liver from a living person and transplanting it into the recipient. As the liver can regenerate, both donors and recipient's liver will grow back to its normal size in a few months. It is usually done in chronic liver conditions or pediatric patients who need smaller liver grafts. 

It is important to consider the donor's health and blood type compatibility. Once the compatibility is confirmed, the recipients are taken into the surgery room, opened up, and the liver is transplanted.

3. Split Type Of Liver Transplant: A split liver transplant involves transplantation of the liver from a recently diseases individual to two recipients. Usually, one portion is given to an adult, while the other half is used to a child. This reduces the waitlist mortality and requires proper surgical planning to ensure both grafts receive sufficient blood supply and function properly.

The organ is usually divided into the left lobes, which are used for the child, and the right lobes, which are used for adults. Though the procedure can be a bit risky, it usually has a long-term outcome for those receiving whole liver grafts. 

A liver transplant in Mumbai is usually suggested when other treatments fail or in case of liver cancer. Liver failure may occur due to acute or chronic liver conditions. Chronic liver failures occur slowly over months and years. They may occur due to conditions such as - hepatitis B or C, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NFLD), and genetic disease.

Whereas acute liver conditions may arise due to drug toxicity, such as acetaminophen overdose, or autoimmune diseases - which may also need a transplant. Patients with liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) that has not spread beyond the liver wall. Though liver transplant Mumbai helps treat acute liver failure, it is more often used to treat chronic liver failure.

There are several benefits of liver transplants. It improves and restores normal liver function, which allows the body to process nutrients, filter toxins, and regulate metabolism properly. Patients who have undergone transplantation procedure have reported a better life, with increased energy levels, better digestion, and reduced symptoms of jaundice, in addition to fluid retention and confusion that may be caused by liver failure. 

Before the liver transplant, it is important to ensure the donor and recipient are mentally prepared. The process begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation, which includes - blood tests, imaging scans (MRI, CT Scans), and liver function assessment. These tests will determine if both are eligible for the procedure. Some may even require psychological evaluations.

After the tests are done, if the donor is deemed suitable, they will be scheduled for surgery. For a deceased donor, the liver is preserved in a cold solution and transported for transplantation. At the same time, a living donor is asked to follow a healthy lifestyle in addition to maintaining a balanced diet. Before the surgery, they receive anaesthesia to reduce discomfort.

Doctors may start giving immunosuppressants before the surgery. Upon arrival at the hospital, IV (intravenous lines) are placed for fluids and medications, and anaesthesia is administered before the surgery. 

After the liver is retrieved from the donor, here’s the procedure of a liver transplant Mumbai:

• The recipient is given general anaesthesia to ensure they remain unconscious and comfortable throughout the procedure.
• During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen to access the liver. The damaged liver is removed by detaching it from blood vessels and the bile duct before being removed.
• The donor liver, whether from a deceased or living donor, is examined, flushed with a preservation solution, and prepared for implantation.
• Based on the anatomical position, the new liver is placed and connected with the major blood vessels to ensure proper oxygen and blood flow.
• The donor’s bile duct is surgically attached to the recipient’s bile duct or intestines to allow bile damage.
• After attaching the liver to the body, the surgeon checks for the bleeding and if the liver is functioning properly. The incision is then closed using sutures or staples. 

After the surgery, the patient is moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) to monitor vital signs, liver function, and potential side effects such as rejection or infection. Once the patient is stable, they are taken to a transplant recovery area to help recuperate. After the patient is discharged, the patient is required to undergo a few tests. Many patients have shared their before and after liver transplant stories about how their lives have changed for the better.

Also, the patient would need to have immunosuppressants for the rest of their life. This will help keep the immune system from attacking the body. Doctors may also prescribe other drugs to combat complications. It might take 6 months or more than that to recover after a transplant surgery, which depends on several factors such as:  

• Quality of post-operative care
• Donor-recipient compatibility
• Overall health and immune response
• Strict adherence to immunosuppressant medications
• Healthy lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise

Liver transplant surgery carries several risks and complications. It is done under general anesthesia, which comes with several risks, such as: 

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Nerve damage
• Hernia at the incision site
• Rejection of the donated liver
• Mental confusion and seizures
• Paralytic ileus and constipation

Additional risks associated with liver surgery are:

• Failure of the donated liver
• Fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity
• Postoperative fatigue and pneumonia
• Returning the diseases to the newly transplanted liver.
• Damage to the bile ducts, causing leakage or bile duct scarring.

If you’re considering a liver transplant Mumbai, Gleneagles Hospital offers hope to many. The centre is well-known for using advanced facilities and medications that enable proper and high-quality care and surgeries. Every step of the procedure is considered important - that’s why all the important decisions are made by our top liver transplant surgeon in Mumbai, who has 10+ years in the field.

As a leading liver transplant hospital in Mumbai, we have a high success rate of surgeries in Mumbai. Also, we adhere to international standards and strict medical protocols to ensure optimal outcomes. For more information and to book a consultation, call us now!