Liver transplant

Liver transplant is a surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased or failing liver with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is usually the last resort for patients with liver disease or liver failure.

Indications

Liver transplants are indicated for patients with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcoholic liver disease. It is also used to treat acute liver failure, a condition that requires immediate transplantation.

Procedure

The liver transplant procedure involves removing the diseased liver and replacing it with a healthy one from a donor. The donor liver can be from a deceased donor (cadaveric transplant) or from a living donor (living donor liver transplant). The surgery is complex and can take up to 12 hours to complete.

Post-Transplant Care

After a liver transplant, patients need to take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent their body from rejecting the new liver. They also need regular follow-up appointments with their healthcare team to monitor their recovery and ensure the new liver is functioning properly.

Risks and Complications

Like any major surgery, a liver transplant carries risks, including infection, bleeding, and complications from anesthesia. There's also the risk of complications related to the transplant itself, such as rejection of the new liver and bile duct complications.

See Also

• Organ transplantation
• Liver disease
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Cirrhosis
• Alcoholic liver disease