Living Donor & Cadaveric Liver Transplantation
Orthotopic Liver Transplantation replaces a diseased, cirrhotic liver with a healthy right lobe graft from a living related donor or a whole cadaveric donor liver.
Liver transplant — living donor & cadaveric
Clinical Overview & Disease Information
Orthotopic Liver Transplantation replaces a diseased, cirrhotic liver with a healthy right lobe graft from a living related donor or a whole cadaveric donor liver.
Signs & Symptoms
- • Persistent jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- • Dark amber urine and pale stools
- • Pruritus (intense skin itching)
- • Refractory ascites (fluid accumulation in abdomen)
- • Hepatic encephalopathy (confusion, memory loss)
- • Esophageal variceal bleeding
- • MELD Score > 15
- • Acute variceal hemorrhage with vomiting of blood
- • Grade 3/4 Hepatic Coma
- • Hepatorenal Syndrome
Causes & Risk Factors
Primary Causes & Etiology
- Decompensated Hepatitis B / Hepatitis C Cirrhosis
- Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) / MASH
- Alcoholic Liver Disease & Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) within Milan Criteria
Who is at Higher Risk?
- Patients with MELD Score > 15
- Decompensated cirrhosis with refractory ascites
Diagnostic Evaluation & Testing
| Diagnostic Test | Clinical Purpose / What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Triphasic Liver CT Angiogram & Volumetry | Evaluates donor-recipient liver volume ratio (GRWR > 0.8%) and hepatic vascular anatomy |
| MRCP & Liver Biopsy | Maps biliary tree anatomy and quantifies liver fibrosis stage |
Comprehensive Treatment Options
Living Donor Right Lobe Liver Transplantation (LDLT)
Surgical harvest of 60-65% right liver lobe from a healthy related donor (HLA/blood group matched).
Deceased Cadaveric Whole Liver Transplantation (DDLT)
Complete orthotopic liver replacement using a whole donor liver from a brain-dead cadaver donor.
Advanced Medical Technologies Available in Partner Hospitals
Possible Complications If Untreated
Recovery Timeline, Diet & Lifestyle Care
Recovery Timeline
| Procedure / Stage | Expected Recovery Duration |
|---|---|
| Liver Transplant ICU Stay | 3 to 5 days |
| Step-Down Transplant Ward | 10 to 14 days |
| Outpatient Immunosuppressant Leveling | 3 to 6 months |
Recommended Post-Treatment Diet
- Strict clean cooked food diet (no raw salads/seafood)
- High protein 1.5g/kg/day
- Low sodium < 2g/day
Essential Lifestyle Changes
- Take Tacrolimus at exact 12-hour intervals
- Daily temperature, weight, and BP tracking
- Wear N95 mask in public
Prevention & Long-Term Health
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a living liver donor take to recover?
Living liver donors are discharged in 5-7 days and their liver regenerates to 90% full volume within 6 to 8 weeks.
Top Recommended Specialists Available
Dr. Biswarup Purkayastha
Consultant – Heart & Lung Transplant and Vascular Surgery
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Dr. Rajesh Kumar Padhan
Chief – Academic and Training, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
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Dr. Varun Mittal
Head - Kidney Transplant & Associate Chief - Uro-Oncology & Robotic Surgery (Unit I)
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Dr. Rajiv Yadav
Chairperson Urology & Head, Urologic Oncology & Robotic Surgery (Unit I)
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Dr. Shweta Bansal
Unit Head & Sr. Consultant - Respiratory Disease & Sleep Medicine (Unit II)
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Dr. Giriraj Bora
Chairperson - Liver Transplant & Sr. Consultant - GI & HPB Surgery
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Dr. Mukesh Kumar Gupta
Head - Critical Care (Unit III) & Heart & Lung Transplant Team
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Dr. Rajesh Misra
Chairperson - Department of Anaesthesia & Perioperative Medicine
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Dr. Shyam Sunder Mahansaria
Head - Liver Transplant & Sr. Consultant - GI & HPB Surgery
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Global Cost Comparison Matrix
| Procedure | USA (Avg) | India (ISG) | Turkey (Avg) | Thailand (Avg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liver transplant — living donor & cadaveric | $180,000 | $26,000 | $45,000 | $50,000 |
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Get Free Treatment EstimateCommonly Prescribed Medications
- Tacrolimus (Prograf) 1mg twice daily
- Mycophenolate Mofetil 500mg twice daily
- Prednisolone 5mg
- Valganciclovir 450mg
International Patient Guide
- Passport & Medical Visa
- State Transplant Authorization Committee Approval
- Triphasic Liver CT & Blood Group Records