Liver transplant is a replacement of diseased liver in a patient with end stage liver failure with a healthy organ. Both adults and children can undergo liver transplantation. Hepatitis related liver cirrhosis, acute liver failures and even those complicated by unrespectable liver tumours can be effectively treated by liver transplantation.
Living donor liver transplantation is a safe option with high success rates and is absolutely safe for donors. Particularly for sick patients were waiting can be perilous, we strongly recommend living donor transplantation.
When is a Liver Transplant Needed?
A liver transplant is considered when the liver no longer functions adequately (liver failure). Liver failure can happen suddenly (acute liver failure) as a result of infection or complications from certain medications, for example. Liver failure can also be the end result of a long-term problem.
The following conditions may result in chronic liver failure:
- Chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (a rare condition where the immune system inappropriately attacks and destroys the bile ducts)
- Sclerosing cholangitis (scarring and narrowing of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver, causing the backup of bile in the liver)
- Biliary atresia (a rare disease of the liver that affects newborns)
- Alcoholism
- Wilson's disease (a rare inherited disease with abnormal levels of copper throughout the body, including the liver)
- Hemochromatosis (a common inherited disease where the body has too much iron)
- Alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency (an abnormal buildup of alpha1 antitrypsin protein in the liver, resulting in cirrhosis)
- Liver cancer