The most pressing questions about liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is a life-saving operation! Therefore, this surgical procedure is quite in demand. According to statistics, liver transplantation is the second most common among all organ transplants. For a number of serious liver diseases, this surgical intervention may be the only option for effective treatment. For example, liver transplantation for cancer and cirrhosis makes it possible to restore the functioning of this organ in situations where its functionality is critically impaired and the risk of death is high.

This surgical intervention is considered one of the most difficult in transplantation, so it is very important that it is performed by highly qualified surgeons. The MedTour platform will help you find a clinic staffed by experienced transplantologists with extensive experience in such operations.

How is a liver transplantation operation performed?

There are several types of this surgical procedure: orthotopic transplantation and heterotopic. In the first case, the organ is completely removed and replaced with a donor one. In the second, a part of the organ is replaced. A whole liver can only be obtained if there is a donor who has been declared brain dead. If a part of the liver is transplanted, then the transplant is taken from a living donor. In this case, about 40-50% of the organ is removed. The liver has good regenerating properties, so this partial transplantation is effective. At the same time, in a liver donor, after a few months, it is restored almost to its previous size.
During the operation, the doctor makes an incision in the abdomen. The surgeon removes the diseased liver or part of it from the patient. The vessels through which blood enters this organ are clamped, shunts are installed. Then the liver is implanted. If a transplant from a living donor is used, then two operations are performed simultaneously. In this case, two teams of transplantologists work at once.

Once the graft is placed in the right place, the doctor carefully connects it to the blood vessels and bile ducts. This is painstaking work that requires precision and skill. But with the successful completion of the procedure, the likelihood of liver survival is very high. The liver transplant operation lasts 5-12 hours, after which the person stays in the intensive care unit for several days.

Is it possible to do a liver transplantation for cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is one of the most common reasons why a transplantation is needed. It can develop against the background of hepatitis, alcohol abuse, with autoimmune lesions of the organ. With this disease, irreversible changes occur in the body. Liver cells, hepatocytes, are replaced by fibrous tissue. As a result, the body loses the ability to function normally, and liver failure progresses. Liver transplantation for cirrhosis makes it possible to return the functionality of the organ, can significantly improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of death.

However, cirrhosis is not the only pathology that requires a transplant. There are a number of other conditions where transplantation is the only way to prolong life.

Who is eligible for a liver transplantation?

Transplantation is recommended in case of serious disorders in the functioning of the organ, when it cannot perform its functions, which poses a threat to the patient’s life. Usually a liver transplantation is required when:

• acute liver failure;
• ascites, chronic bleeding in the liver, hepatocellular insufficiency (complications of cirrhosis);
• congenital anomalies of the liver;
• at certain stages of cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocellular carcinoma, fibrolamellar cancer, etc.);
• metabolic disorders associated with functional hepatic disorders;
• autoimmune liver diseases;
• cholestatic diseases (sclerosing cholangitis).

Liver transplantation can be done for both adults and children. Similar operations are done from 6 months of age. There are no specific restrictions for the elderly. Each situation is considered individually, taking into account the characteristics of the patient’s health.

What are the contraindications for liver transplantation?

There are a number of contraindications for this surgical intervention:

• severe pulmonary hypertension;
• advanced stages of cancer with liver metastases;
• severe heart disease;
• acute infections (including the active stage of HIV / AIDS, active stages of hepatitis);
• alcoholism;
• mental illness;
• thrombosis of the portal vein system;
• serious functional disorders of other body systems.

There are also a number of factors that increase the likelihood of rejection of a transplanted organ and worsen prognosis. In each case, the decision on the need for transplantation is made individually. Hepatologists and transplantologists treat each situation individually. The patient’s condition is necessarily analyzed, the degree of need for transplantation is determined, health characteristics are taken into account, lifestyle and the person’s willingness to adhere to certain rules after the operation are taken into account.

How long does a person recover after a liver transplantation?

After a liver transplantation operation, the patient needs a period of rehabilitation. The first 1-2 weeks are spent in the clinic under the supervision of the medical staff. Then the person is released home, where he must adhere to certain rules for some time.

• It is important to take immunosuppressants, which will suppress unwanted reactions of the immune system and prevent transplant rejection. Moreover, it is very important to strictly observe the dosage and adhere to the schedule of taking medications.
• It is recommended to adjust the diet, eat food that will not overload the liver. Before the patient is discharged home, the attending physician usually gives dietary advice.
• Physical activity is allowed and even recommended. But the type and amount of physical activity must be discussed with your doctor. Walking is best for the first time after the operation, then gradually you can add other loads.
• It is also very important to undergo periodic health checks and organ functioning.

In general, the rehabilitation period takes 3-6 months.

What is forbidden after a liver transplantation?

After transplantation, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol. Smoking is also prohibited. Women are not recommended to become pregnant during the year. In the first 6 weeks after the operation, it is recommended to avoid squats, you can not lift more than 3 kilograms of weight.

Throughout life after liver replacement, you need to monitor nutrition: select a balanced diet, avoid excessive consumption of fats and sugars, maintain normal weight. Otherwise, after the rehabilitation period has been successfully completed, a person can lead a full life.

Where to find a liver transplant donor?

At the moment, the need for donor organs is quite large, and there is not enough transplant from a cadaveric donor. People who need a transplantation get on the waiting list, but the number of applicants on such lists is very large. Therefore, the technology of liver transplantation from a living donor is actively developing. A living donor can be a relative who is willing to voluntarily donate part of his organ. In addition, in some countries, transplantation from a volunteer who is not a relative is legally allowed.

For a liver transplant, the donor must meet certain requirements:

• age within 18-55 years;
• lack of chronic health problems;
• weight not less than 50 kg, in addition, it is important that the weight of his body corresponds to the recipient;
• lack of infections transmitted through the blood (syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C);
• blood group compatibility.

A prerequisite for transplantation is the voluntary desire of the donor to help.

Also in some countries it is possible to do a cross transplant. In this case, there are several donors and recipients at once. A person who needs a liver receives it from an unrelated donor. At the same time, his relative donates an organ or part of some of his organs to another person who is a relative of the donor.

How much does one donor liver cost?

It is legally impossible to buy or sell a liver or part of it, it is prohibited at the legislative level in all countries. The price of a liver transplantation can differ markedly depending on the country and clinic, and can range from $35,000 to $300,000 or more. The price depends on many factors:

• the country in which the surgical procedure will take place;
• the status of the clinic and the qualifications of surgeons;
• the surgical technique that will be used (whether the latest technology will be used, such as robotic surgery;
• features of the operation and the degree of its complexity.

To learn more about the cost of liver transplantation in different countries and clinics, please contact us. The medical coordinator of MedTour will tell you about all the nuances of the operation and advise on the prices for a liver transplant.

How many years do people live after liver transplantation?

Life expectancy after this surgical procedure depends on a number of factors. According to statistics, 90-95% of patients survive after the 1st year after liver transplantation, 80-85% after three years, and 75% after five years. If the transplantation is carried out by competent specialists, after the procedure all the doctor’s recommendations are followed, the intake of immunosuppressive drugs does not stop, then there is a high probability of living for more than 20 years.

Where is the best place for a liver transplant?

It is traditionally believed that clinics in Israel and Germany demonstrate the highest rates for such operations. However, today there are also medical centers in other countries (for example, South Korea, Ukraine, Turkey), where such surgical interventions are effectively performed at a very high level. Clinics that undertake such operations are equipped with modern operating rooms with the latest technical equipment. They employ highly qualified transplantologists with extensive clinical experience in such surgical procedures.

Among the most famous medical centers where liver transplantation is successfully performed, there are such clinics:

• University hospital LIV Istinye (Turkey). Organ transplantation is one of the main directions of the clinic. In the hospital, a transplantation from an unrelated donor is possible. Doctors perform cross-organ transplantation operations.
• Essen University Hospital (Germany). The Organ Transplant Department is considered one of the best. The clinic uses an innovative technology of partial liver transplants (split).
• Rambam Medical Center (Israel). It is considered one of the best clinics according to the Israeli Ministry of Health. Liver transplantation from an unrelated donor is possible.
• Global Hospital Chennai (India). A well-known multidisciplinary clinic, where there is a large transplantation department and many liver transplants are performed annually. A transplantation from an unrelated donor is available at the hospital.

This is not a complete list of medical institutions where liver transplantation is successfully performed. Medical coordinators of MedTour will help you choose a clinic that best suits your needs.

Top Doctors for Liver Transplant

Transplantation is a very complex procedure that has many technical nuances and requires jewelry work. Therefore, it is extremely important to choose a specialist who has the right qualifications. With the help of the MedTour platform, you can find doctors who specialize in such surgical procedures, show very good results and have an impeccable reputation.

Medical coordinators of MedTour will help you get to the best transplantologists. Send us a request for a free consultation!