Surgical replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a living donor or deceased donor is termed a liver transplant. It is a treatment undertaken in cases of liver failure or in certain cases of liver cancer and is meant to save a person’s life. The procedure involves removal of the damaged liver, followed by the implantation of the new liver while meticulously connecting the blood vessels and bile ducts.
After being discharged from the hospital, patients need to undergo regular medical check-ups, while also staying on life-long immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Alone in 2023, 4491 successful surgeries were carried out in India for liver transplant treatment, with the average cost between 20 – 25 lakh, which is more affordable than in any other advanced countries such as the USA and UK.
What is liver transplant treatment?
A liver transplant is a surgical operation that replaces a patient’s failing liver with the healthy donor liver and is often considered a critical option in liver cancer treatment. There are the two varieties of liver transplant treatment –
- Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT) – When the family agrees to an organ donation, then the liver is sourced from the brain-dead donor.
- Living Donor Living Transplant (LDLT) – The patient receives a part of the liver from healthy donors, typically close relatives or family members.
Why Choose India For liver transplant treatment?
- Affordable cost and improved medical care facilities – Liver transplant treatment in India is significantly more affordable compared to those advanced countries like the United States and United Kingdom without compromising quality and care.
- Record successful surgeries with brilliant success rate – Alone in 2023, India carried out 4491 successful surgeries with the success survival rate between 85 – 90% which is comparable to countries like the USA and UK.
- High quality skills and experienced surgeons with advanced technology – Leveraging advanced technology such as artificial intelligence in healthcare along with international level training, India today possesses highly skilled and experienced surgeons.
- Minimal waiting period for liver transplant treatment – With the large pool and high volume of living donors has contributed to the shorter waiting period for liver transplants treatment.
- Improved nationwide medical infrastructure – Over the last decade, thanks to the government many initiatives and increase in spending in healthcare, today the overall medical infrastructure has improved along successfully surgeries.
Cost Of Liver Transplant Treatment In India vs rest of the world
Affordability, brilliant success rate and improved medical infrastructure within the country is one of the primary reasons why India today is the largest destination for liver transplant treatment from all over the world. The following table shows estimated average cost of liver transplant treatment in India vs rest of the world.
| Name of the Country | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| India | 20,00,000 – 35,00,000 | 24,000 – 35,000 |
| USA | 1.5 – 3 crore | 163,000 – 350,000 |
| UK | 38,00,000 – 45,00,000 | 90,000 – 120,000 |
| Singapore | 25,00,000 – 32,00,000 | 28,000 – 36,000 |
| Germany | 90,00,000 – 1.5 crore | 1,00,000 – 163,000 |
The Best Liver Transplant Hospitals In India
Nowadays India has developed a well established institute of medical healthcare. It has provided highly skilled surgeons with experience and world class output. The best hospitals available in India for liver transplant treatment.
- Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai
- Dr. Rela’s Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
- Apollo Hospital, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
- Gleneagles Global Hospital, Mumbai
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
Success Rate Of Liver Transplant Treatment In India
Over the last couple of years, the outcomes of the liver transplant treatment have improved significantly in India all thanks to the improved healthcare infrastructure in the country. In India it has improved the success rate compared to other advanced countries.
Success Rates:
- 1-year survival rate between 85 – 95 %
- 5-year survival rate between 70 – 75 %
Success Rates Influencing Factors:
- Overall quality of organ and donor
- Improved hospital medical facilities
Considerations For Liver Transplant Treatment In India
Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) of 1994 is the law which governed the liver transplant treatment in India. It is the primary aim to ensure ethical and regulated transplantation practices in India. Essential aspects include:
- Required consent and documentation.
- Living donors must be related to family members or relatives i.e. spouse, siblings, parent or grandparents.
- Approval required for donors who are not directly related to family members by the committee designated by the government.
- The trade of organs for liver transplant treatment of profit is against the law.
Patients from outside India must provide the mandatory documents which include a letter from the country’s health authority, embassy clearance and medical records.
Risks Involved In Liver Transplant Treatment
Despite the higher success rate of liver transplant surgeries, there still remains some risk involved in the treatment. Some of the frequent implications include:
- Chances of organ rejection,
- Risk of spreading of Infection,
- Hemorrhaging, and
- Issues with the bile duct.
Immunosuppressive medications which must be taken for life, are used to control organ rejection. Because of the suppressed immunity, there are concerns for spreading of infection specially in the first few months. Other potential risks involve blood clots, delayed graft function.
Even though the risk for living donors is considerably low, it can still cause pain, fatigue, bile leaks or even wound infections.
How Soon Can Be Recovered After treatment?
Recovery process after the liver transplant treatment is gradual, usually beginning after staying in a hospital for 2 or 3 weeks which is followed by 2 – 3 months of close monitoring. Patients usually have regular tests so that hospitals can keep track of their liver function, medications levels and any indications of infection during initial weeks. Over the period of usually 3 – 6 months, the patients regain their strengths and return to their normal activities.
For long term recovery lifelong immunosuppressant therapy is required to avert any organ rejection and as well as require modern diet, moderation in consumption of alcohol and regular physical activities.
How To Choose Best Liver Transplant Treatment Hospitals In India?
Since liver transplant treatment is a complex procedure that not only requires experienced and skilled surgeons but also a good medical institute with advanced infrastructure and technology. Not choosing the right liver transplant treatment hospital can undermine the survival rate, recovery and well-being of the patients. Below are some 5 important factors you should consider while choosing the liver transplant treatment hospital:
Location and Accessibility
Since the liver transplant treatment will require you to make a frequent visit to the hospital, it is always recommended to choose the hospital nearest to you for easy transportation for faster recovery.
Hospital with advanced technology and infrastructure
Always ensure that the hospital is equipped with developed infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology. Hospitals with advanced technology such as diagnostic tools, enough surgical equipment will always provide efficient results.
Highly Skilled and Experienced Surgeons
Another important factor is to always make sure that the hospital has highly skilled and experienced surgeons, doctors and medical staff to handle such complex treatment. It will ensure that the patients are in good hands.l
Hospital Success Rate
Even though success rate can vary with different hospitals, it is also one of the crucial factors that will affect the overall outcome of surgery. A higher success rate denotes a better hospital for any treatment.
Cost Effectiveness and Support Service
Hospitals that provide an affordable liver transplant treatment and also the comprehensive patient support system such as patient education, post surgery rehabilitation, emotional and psychological support also play an important part towards the recovery of the patients.
Conclusion
A liver transplant involves a surgical operation that replaces a patient’s failing liver with the healthy donor liver. India has become the top destination for worldwide patients for liver transplant treatment. Over the last couple of years, the outcomes of the liver transplant treatment have improved significantly in India.
To read more free article ( Click Here )