Frequently Asked Questions

Replacing one’s own diseased liver with a new donor healthy liver is called liver transplantation. Such surgeries have been done for over 38 years. Several people who have had liver transplants go on to lead perfectly normal lives.

When the liver function deteriorates to such an extent that it can no longer fulfil the requirements of the body, i.e. when the liver function decompensates, and the likelihood of liver function to recover is remote, then a liver transplant is recommended.

Liver disease severe enough to require a liver transplant can come from many causes. In adults, the most common reason for liver transplantation is cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions due to chronic injury. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, partially blocking the flow of blood through the liver. Cirrhosis can be caused by viruses such as hepatitis B and C, alcohol, autoimmune liver diseases, buildup of fat in the liver, and hereditary liver diseases. Many people who develop cirrhosis of the liver due to excessive use of alcohol also need a liver transplant.

Alcohol, HCV, HBV and fatty liver disease are the commonest causes of liver cirrhosis. Autoimmune liver disease and metabolic disorders are other common causes.

Abstinence from alcohol and treatment of complications for 6 months will usually allow some of them to improve significantly and these patients may survive for prolonged periods without a transplant. For patients with advanced liver disease, where prolonged abstinence and medical treatment fails to restore health, liver transplantation is the treatment.

In children, the most common reason for liver transplantation is biliary atresia, a rare condition in newborn infants in which the common bile duct between the liver and the small intestine is blocked or absent. The cause of the condition is unknown. The only effective treatments are certain surgeries, or liver transplantation.

Other reasons for transplantation are liver cancer, benign liver tumors, and hereditary diseases. Primary liver cancers develop at a significantly higher rate in cirrhotic livers as compared to normal livers, particularly in patients having liver disease secondary to Hepatitis B. Liver Transplantation at an early stage of liver cancer may result in long-term survival for select patients.