Liver transplantation is a life-saving surgical procedure that replaces a diseased liver with a healthy liver graft from either a living donor (living-donor liver transplantation, LDLT) or a deceased donor (deceased-donor liver transplantation, DDLT). It is the definitive treatment for end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure, and selected hepatic malignancies that cannot be cured by any other means. With advances in surgical technique, anaesthesia, immunosuppression, and post-transplant care, one-year survival rates following liver transplantation now exceed 90%, and five-year survival rates exceed 75–80% at experienced centres.
Common indications for liver transplantation include decompensated cirrhosis from any cause (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic cirrhosis, NASH, autoimmune hepatitis, PBC, PSC), acute liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan or UCSF criteria, cholestatic liver diseases, and metabolic liver diseases (Wilson's disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, hereditary haemochromatosis, PFIC, OTC deficiency). The MELD score (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) — based on serum bilirubin, creatinine, and INR — is used to prioritise candidates for deceased-donor organs and to predict 90-day mortality risk. In India, where the deceased-donor organ supply is limited, living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is the predominant modality, using the right lobe graft for adult-to-adult transplantation.
The transplant process begins with a comprehensive evaluation of both the recipient (disease severity, fitness for major surgery, absence of contraindications) and the living donor (detailed liver volumetry, vascular and biliary anatomy, psychological fitness, and absolute voluntariness). The recipient operation involves hepatectomy of the native diseased liver, implantation of the graft with careful vascular and biliary anastomoses, and meticulous haemostasis. Post-transplant, patients require lifelong immunosuppression (typically tacrolimus-based), regular monitoring for rejection and complications, and ongoing surveillance for recurrence of the original disease. At Ahmedabad Liver Surgeons, our team of over-600-transplant experienced surgeons provides comprehensive care from initial evaluation through long-term follow-up.
Why Choose Us for Liver Transplantation?
- 600+ successful liver transplants by Dr. Vikas Patel and 500+ by Dr. Dharmendra Dangi
- Dedicated transplant hepatology, anaesthesia, and ICU team
- Expert management of complex donor anatomy — midline donor hepatectomy
- Paediatric living-donor transplantation — left lateral segment grafts
- Comprehensive pre- and post-transplant support for patients and families
- World-class infrastructure at Epic Super Specialty Hospital, Ahmedabad
Ready to Consult Our Specialists?
Our team of experienced liver transplant and HPB surgeons is here to help. Book an appointment at Epic Super Specialty Hospital, Ahmedabad.
Book an Appointment