Robotic Liver Transplant in Mumbai

Robotic Liver Transplant in Mumbai surgery is a revolutionary treatment option for many liver conditions. It combines technological precision with a minimally invasive operative approach for enhanced patient outcomes. Unlike traditional liver transplant methods like open surgery or laparoscopic procedures, robot-assisted surgery is more accurate and has a shorter recovery time.

A liver transplant is typically recommended for patients with severe liver failure. Earlier, the liver transplants were performed manually, with an open surgery approach. Larger incisions were made on the abdomen, which increased the risk factors and had a prolonged recovery period. Over the past few years, there has been a paradigm shift in the field of surgery and transplants. With the advent of artificial intelligence and robotics, more and more minimally invasive procedures have been introduced. These procedures are not only less invasive but are highly precise and alleviate the chances of any human errors during the surgery.

A liver transplant procedure is done to replace a liver that is no longer able to function properly. The damaged liver of the patient is either replaced with the donor liver from a deceased person or a portion of the liver of a living donor. Some of the primary health conditions that necessitate a liver transplant include the following:

• Cirrhosis - Liver cirrhosis is characterised by scarring of the liver due to chronic liver disease. A liver transplant is the only option for treating a liver damaged by liver cirrhosis.
• Hepatitis B and C - Viral infections such as hepatitis can lead to liver damage and can be treated with a transplant. It is vital to note that both infections can recur after a liver transplant. This necessitates taking the right preventive measures and regular hospital visits for routine check-ups.
• Liver Cancer - Cancer is one of the primary health conditions that require a liver transplant. Cancerous growths in the liver hamper the function and cause other health complications.
• Genetic Disorders - Some genetic disorders, including Wilson’s disease or hemochromatosis, also require a liver transplant. Because these conditions are inherited, early detection and regular check-ups should be done to identify them early.
• Alcoholic Liver - Excessive alcohol consumption for prolonged years can cause significant damage to the liver. A range of liver diseases like fatty liver, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis can be caused due to excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks.

The robotic liver transplant in Mumbai surgery includes several steps. A structured approach is followed to optimise the procedure results.

• Preoperative Assessment - The very first thing that your doctor will do after your consultation will be to evaluate your condition. Checking the damage to the liver, matching donor organs, and preparing for surgery are performed.
• Anaesthesia and Patient Preparation - The surgery procedure starts with the administration of anaesthesia and preparing the patient for the surgery. The robotic instruments are also prepared.
• Incision and Port Placement - The surgeon then begins by making small incisions to insert the robotic arms and cameras.
• Liver Excision - The diseased liver is carefully removed with the help of robotic arms and their precision. This step has to be performed meticulously to prevent damaging the surrounding tissues or organs.
• Donor Liver Implantation - The donor liver is then placed in the place of the diseased liver and connected to blood vessels and bile ducts.
• Closure and Recovery - Upon successful replacement of the liver, incisions are closed using stitches, and the patient is monitored under intensive care.

A robotic liver transplant procedure offers many advantages over the traditional transplant methods. Some of the benefits of robotic liver transplant in Mumbai include the following:

• Minimally Invasive - Compared to traditional liver transplant surgery, robotic liver transplant is less invasive. Smaller incisions lead to reduced trauma and less scarring.
• Enhanced Precision - The accuracy of the liver transplant procedure is increased. This is primarily due to the use of high-definition 3D imaging and robotic surgical arms.
• Reduced Blood Loss - Since the procedure is minimally invasive with smaller incisions, the intraoperative bleeding is less. This reduces the overall blood loss that happens in an open surgery.
• Faster Recovery - A patient’s hospital stay is shortened with robotic transplant surgery, leading to quicker rehabilitation. The less invasive the procedure, the faster will the recovery be.
• Lower Risks of Complications - Less incisions also reduced the potential risks of infections or post-operative complications. The surgical errors are also reduced with the use of robotic instruments.

The cost of a robotic liver transplant surgery starts from 19 lakhs and can go up to 35 lakhs, depending on the hospital you choose, and the facilities provided there. Other factors like the location, experience of the doctors, and insurance facilities might further affect the cost. A robotic transplant is usually more expensive than a standard liver transplant. However, the benefits are long-term and thus, the investment is worth it.

Success Rates of robotic liver transplant surgery are similar to traditional surgery. The survival rates are higher than the standard method. Along with the high survival rates, robotic liver transplant surgery is considered more successful due to the reduced risk of complications and improvement in the quality of life of the patient.

Despite the advantages, robotic liver transplant surgery in Mumbai has some challenges and limitations also, which include:

• High Costs - The utilisation of advanced technology and robotic medical instruments makes the procedure more expensive. Robotic machinery is expensive, thus the hospitals with robotic liver transplant surgery would charge more.
• Steep Learning Curve - Since robotic arms are controlled by the surgeon, extensive training has to be provided to master robotic liver transplant surgery. Not every doctor experienced in liver transplant can perform robotic surgery. Specialised training is required.
• Limited Availability - Since there are technology constraints, not all healthcare facilities provide robotic liver transplants. Some of the hospitals like Gleneagles Hospital provide the facility for robotic liver transplants in different parts of the country.
• Technical Limitations - The incisions made in robotic liver transplants are comparatively smaller. Some limitations occur in complex cases, where an open surgery is the only viable option.

As vital as the surgery is, post-operative care is equally important. A successful operation can lead to complications if proper care is not taken afterwards. Below are some important considerations to keep in mind after your robotic liver transplant.

• Recovery Duration - The recovery time of a robotic liver transplant is less than a normal liver transplant surgery. While an open surgery has a recovery time of around 6 to 12 months, people with robotic liver transplant surgery recover within the timeframe of 3 to 6 months.
• Medications - The patient will have to take lifelong medication to prevent organ rejection. Generally, immunosuppressants are prescribed to the patients.
• Lifestyle Modifications - Once you get an organ transplant, a lot of lifestyle changes have to be adopted. As your body adapts to the new organ, regular immunosuppressants, a healthy diet, adequate water intake, and exercise are crucial for overall well-being.

Gleneagles Hospital is a leading hospital specialised in Robotic Liver Transplant surgery. Some of the facilities that make Gleneagles Hospital stand out and become the preferred choice of lakhs of patients are mentioned below.

• Expert Surgeons - At Gleneagles Hospital, your transplant is done by highly trained surgeons who specialise in robotic procedures.
• Advanced Technology - Gleneagles Hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art technology systems to provide world-class surgical treatment.
• Comprehensive Care - The surgeons provide personalised treatment plans for each liver patient and provide dedicated aftercare to ensure full recovery.
• Proven Success Rates - Gleneagles Hospital has set a record by consistently providing high survival rates and optimised patient outcomes.