When is a Liver Transplant Needed

When is a Liver Transplant Needed?

Image Source: transplant.surgery.ucsf.edu Liver transplants are procedures wherein a diseased liver is replaced with one that is healthy. With the amount of experience that the doctors in India have carrying out this procedure, patients have a high chance of leading a normal life once the transplant is conducted. Here’s when someone is in need of a liver transplant: If you are diagnosed with cirrhosis Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the most common causes for a liver transplant. This happens in case of a chronic injury where the liver slowly begin to deteriorate and malfunction. The healthy tissues are replaced by scar tissues that block the blood flow through the liver.

If an infant has biliary atresia While this is a condition that is rare, biliary atresia affects new-born infants wherein the bile duct between the small intestine and the liver is either blocked or absent. These ducts generally carry the bile out of the liver. In case they are damaged or are missing, there is no way for the bile to get out, causing cirrhosis of the liver or liver failure. Babies with biliary atresia, therefore, can only survive with a liver transplant.

If one has a liver tumour, liver cancer or hereditary disease Liver tumours or diseases of the liver that are hereditary are hard to cure with a transplant. Further, liver cancer is fairly treatable and may increase the life of the patient is the transplant takes place at an early stage. However, liver cancers that begin elsewhere in the body and gradually spread to the liver are incurable even with transplants.

When should a transplant be avoided?

While you are aware of all of the reasons why a liver transplant seems like the only resort, there are certain circumstances where the transplant needs to be avoided at all costs even when the condition of the liver demands one. Some of these conditions are mentioned below:   

A transplant must be avoided is cancer has been diagnosed in another part of the body Liver transplants must be avoided in case the patient has a severe disease of the heart, the lungs, or the nerves Since a transplant needs the patient to be off alcohol and substance abuse for at least 6 months to a year before the transplant, active users of alcohol and substances cannot undergo a transplant

Some of the best hospitals in India have been successful in conducting a liver transplant surgery in India, leading to medical tourism being on the rise.