Ques 1 What is the success rate of liver transplantation?

Ans Liver transplantation by Dr Ankur Garg is very successful, and his patient outcomes are the best in the world. Most people are able to return to their daily routine within three months after the transplant, and many of them even earlier. Recipients have been known to live a normal life 30 years after the operation. Transplant success depends on a number of variables, including health status at the time of transplant, age and recurrent disease. Transplant recipients also directly contribute to the success of their transplant.

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Ques 2 Who needs a liver transplant?

Ans As of now, liver transplantation is the only cure for liver failure because no device or machine can reliably replace the liver. People who require liver transplants have acute liver failure but more typically chronic liver failure.

Acute liver failure occurs when a previously healthy liver suffers injury resulting in liver insufficiency. Chronic liver failure occurs when the liver has been repeatedly injured and repaired over a long period of time. Chronic liver failure can be caused by viral hepatitis, autoimmune diseases, alcohol abuse, obesity, metabolic conditions, genetic liver diseases, liver cancer or other diseases. Cirrhosis is the end stage of scarring in the liver, and the organ cannot be repaired. Medications can decrease the symptoms caused by liver failure, but liver transplantation is the only permanent cure.

Ques 3 What are the major risks in liver transplantation?

Ans With liver transplant surgery, the risks are those that are common to all forms of major surgery or relate to technical difficulties in removing the diseased liver or implanting the donor liver. Immediately after the operation, risks include bleeding, poor function of the grafted liver, bile leaks and infections. We monitor the patient carefully for several weeks after surgery for rejection. Rejection becomes less common with time.

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Ques 3 How is it possible to receive a liver from a living family member or friend?

Ans. Yes, a living liver donation is an option that can be discussed with your surgeon and hepatologist. Not all transplant centres offer this option. Maatri has one of the most experienced liver surgeons in Gurgaon - Dr. Ankur Garg.

Living donation significantly decreases the time a patient has to wait for a liver on the waitlist, and so can get them transplanted prior to getting very sick. Liver from living donors are usually of excellent quality because donors are carefully evaluated prior to donation and are only allowed to donate if they are in very good health.

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