Liver Transplant Surgery in India

Liver Transplant Surgery in India offers effective treatment for Nigerian patients, replacing damaged livers with healthy ones from living or deceased donors.

Liver Transplant Surgery in India

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    General

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    07-May-2025

Liver Transplant Surgery in India

Liver transplant surgery in India is a life saving surgery where a failed or diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy one, donated by a different individual. It is usually taken into consideration when the liver functions are unable to work anymore and other therapies are ineffective.

The Reason for liver transplant

  • Therapy against end stage liver disease or acute liver failure.
  • Enhance survival and quality of life in situations where the work of the liver is irreversibly compromised.

The Usual Conditions that need a Liver Transplant

  • Hepatitis B/C, alcohol related liver disease, fatty liver disease, etcirrhosis
  • Sudden liver failure (infection, toxicity drugs such as paracetamol overdose)
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma as a transplant criteria
  • Hereditary/metabolic diseases of the liver (e.g., Wilson disease and biliary atresia in the child)

Two types of liver transplant

Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT)

  • Liver can be obtained through a person declared brain-dead but still healthy.

Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)

  • Most commonly, a portion of the liver of a living person (who is usually a relative) is donated -- the liver grows back in the donor and the recipient.

Split-Liver Transplant

  • A donor liver is split to assist two patients, who in most cases are an adult and a child.

Surgical Process

  • Pre-surgery - This includes assessment of the patient, selection of donor and the general health.
  • Operation – Removing diseased liver, inserting donor liver and attaching to blood vessels and bile ducts.
  • Length Of Time - 6-12 hours.
  • Post-operatively - Road to recovery and observation in the intensive care unit and the hospital.

Recovery

  • Care in hospital - 2 to 3 weeks as a norm.
  • Medication - Immunosuppressants medicines to avoid rejection for life.
  • Follow up-Periodic medical checkups, liver scans and liver tests.
  • Full recovery Full recovery – Several months; possibility to recover normal life with good care.

Why Choose Liver Transplant in India?

India has developed into a preferred destination for the liver transplantation due to medical competence as well as reasonable charges. Following are the factors that make it desirable to go for liver transplant in India:

  • Highly Skilled Surgeons
  • Advanced Medical Facilities
  • Cost-Effectiveness
  • High Success Rates
  • Shorter Waiting Times
  • Comprehensive Support for International Patients

Factors Affecting Liver Transplant Cost in India

The cost of a liver transplant in India depends on the following factors. Here's a breakdown:

  • Type of Liver Transplant
  • Hospital and City
  • Surgeon’s Experience and Team Fees
  • Pre-Transplant Evaluation
  • Donor Surgery and Post-operative Care
  • ICU and Hospital Stay Duration
  • Medications and Immunosuppressants
  • Post-Transplant Monitoring
  • Insurance and Financial Aid

Best Liver Transplant Hospitals in India

Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

​One of the most recognized medical centers in Gurgaon with an extensive program of liver transplant included Fortis Memorial Research Institute. It has carried out more than 500 liver transplants in the last two years, which indicates its effective practice and adherence to delivering quality service. Organ transplant has recorded high success levels in its execution especially to the extent that Fmri record 90-95% success in doing liver transplant. This is because it follows a strict and formula procedure on the medical treatment of patients with particular attention on after-surgery care until the patients fully recover. This has placed FMRI on the map as one of the approved liver transplantation center in Delhi NCR thereby translating to compliance with standard medical practices.

Max Hospital, Saket

​The Liver Transplant and Biliary Sciences is an extensively-sophisticated program of Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, New Delhi. The hospital currently has over 200 professionals with over 20+ years of experience in the transplant surgery; the hospital has done in excess of 2600 liver transplants. ​ According to the given information, Max Hospital’s liver transplant success rate is more than 95% and the 10-year patient survival rate is more than 80%. It is a fact that most of the patients who undergo through organ transplant show a considerable increase in their quality of life after the surgery is done. It has distinguished features through the technological advancement it holds in order to deal with the liver transplant surgery in India.

Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon

​Artemis Hospital in Gurgaon is one of the renowned hospitals that possess the Liver Transplant Programme. Among them, it can perform both living and deceased liver donor transplants to give patients more choices. Among them, the success rates in liver transplantation have been very satisfactory at Artemis Hospital. Liver transplant patient’s mortality rate one year after the surgery is about 12%, while the five year’s mortality is approximately 27%. Artemis Hospital focuses on the patient’s needs and wants and provide preoperative assessments, state-of-art surgeries and proper post-operative care. This has made the hospital to be well equipped with facilities that can allow the performance of liver transplant procedures.

Apollo Hospital, Delhi

Transplantation surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi has defined itself as one of the most successful programs – and the most experienced: the hospital’s liver transplantation program dates back to 1988. Specifically, more than 4300 liver transplants have been conducted at the hospital including 500 children, the effectiveness of which was above 90%. In liver transplantation, Apollo hospital provides all the options right from the preliminary assessments and then such surgery and treatment afterwards. It has modern operation theatres for transplant surgeries and Isolation Care unit equipped Intensive Care Units for the patients.

Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon

​ Medanta – The Medicity in Gurgaon is one of the few centers in the country where liver transplant surgery has brought high success rates and elaborates treatment.​ Medanta has recorded a high success rate in its liver transplants, and it has a low record of post-operation complications. With over 95% success rate in its liver transplants, Medanta has proved to be one of the best hospitals due to the few post-operation complications that arise. The hospital has been involved in conducting more than 4000 liver transplants till the date. Medanta’s focus is on the patient and only a patient in all stages of the transplant process. This comprises of offering counselling services, nutritional ci counsel and rehabilitation services in order to facilitate the recovery processes.

Manipal Hospital, Gurgaon

​The Manipal Hospital that is located in Gurugram provides all round liver transplant quality service and care for patients with liver complications. It has all the necessary facilities and experienced professionals to dealing with liver transplantation surgery. The team of hepatologists as well as the transplant surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses employed at Manipal Hospital are highly trained. They make joint efforts with the intention of providing customized and efficient treatment for the patient.  In their care, Manipal Hospital pays much attention to the patient’s individual needs and provides intervention such as counselling, nutrition advice, physical therapy etc.

How to Choose Liver Transplant Surgery in India Hospitals?

Selecting a hospital for a liver transplant surgery in India is a crucial step in determining the success, healing, as well as satisfaction of the patient. The following factors should guide any decision of choosing a hospital to undertake the liver transplant surgery:

  • Hospital Accreditation and Reputation
  • Experience and Expertise of the Liver Transplant Team
  • Liver Transplant Success Rate
  • Type of Liver Transplant Procedures Offered
  • Infrastructure and Facilities
  • Post-Transplant Care and Support
  • Cost of Liver Transplant Surgery
  • Waiting Time and Organ Availability
  • Medical Tourism and International Patient Services
  • Location and Accessibility

Top Liver Transplant Surgeons in India

Factors Affecting Affordable Liver Transplant India

  • Hospital Type: The general treatment in the government hospitals is cheaper as compared to other private hospitals.​
  • Specialist Surgeon: It is also important to note that most of the time, highly experienced surgeons will cost more for their service, then menu fact they have high success rates.​
  • Patients’ medical condition: Individual patient’s needs may demand more efforts and time, which will result in high expenditure.​
  • Additional expenses include aftercare and rehabilitation as well as follow-up services which can be essential for the patient.

Liver Transplant Procedure India

Liver transplant in India is one of the most complex surgeries and is done by a team of expert surgeons who have access to the latest technology. Below is a step-by-step overview of the process:

Evaluation and Workup (Recipient & Donor)

For the Recipient:

  • Medical tests: Lab tests, ultrasonography, computed tomography, MRI, liver profile, ECG, and cancer-related investigations.
  • Assessment of suitability: It involves physical fitness for surgery and psychological preparedness.

For the Donor (if living):

  • Compatibility check: Blood group compatibility, liver size, and shape.
  • Ethical and legal clearance: THOA which is the Transplantation of Human Organs Act mainly concerning Indian legislation that regulates the classification of donors other than the spouses or blood relations.

Legal Approval (Especially for Living Donor Transplants)

  • Authorization Committee approval required.
  • Identity proof, relationship evidence, consent, and medical fitness fall under documentation.

Admission and Preparation

  • The recipient and the donor are admitted a few days prior to surgery.
  • They take a fast, medication and also undergo psychological counselling before the procedure.

Liver Transplant Surgery

Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT):

  • A part of the liver, either the right or the left lobe, is taken from the donor.
  • This operation entails complete removal of the liver of the recipient with the intention of replacing it with a healthy organ.
  • The donor liver segment is then placed in its viable position and sutured to blood vessels and bile ducts.

Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT):

  • The recipient undergoes a deceased donor whole or split liver graft from a brain-dead donor with his/her consent.
  • It is the same as above method while it involves NOTTO or state registry organ sharing networks.

Duration

  • Surgery time: 8 to 14 hours (can vary based on complexity)
  • A liver transplant patient calls for a team of different specialists including the liver transplant surgeons, anaesthetists, and hepatologists.

Post-Operative Care

  • They are expected to remain in the Intensive Care Unit for about five to ten days.
  • Supervised frequently for observation of rejection, infections, or difficulties from the surgery.
  • Discharge in 2–3 weeks, if stable.

Liver Transplant India Reviews

  • India does approximately 1500-2000 liver transplants every year. 
  • Medanta Liver Transplant Institute: The hospital has conducted more than 2500 liver transplants since 2009 with the success rate of 95% and infection rate less than 10%. 

Liver Transplant India Medical Tourism

India has emerged as a favorite destination for global patients interested in Liver Transplantation with the availability of best of medical infrastructure, best human resources in terms of surgeons and an affordable cost structure. Most of the hospitals offer full service that deals specifically with international patients’ right from the time when they make appointments to when they need to be operated upon and beyond. Key facilities and services include:

  • Medical Consultation
  • Visa Assistance
  • Travel Coordination
  • Accommodation Arrangements
  • Language Support
  • Advanced Surgical Facilities
  • Experienced Surgical Teams
  • Rehabilitation Services
  • Follow-up Consultations
  • Medication Management
  • Transparent Pricing

Liver Transplant India Patient Testimonials

I am glad for the time that I was treated by Max Hospital in Saket, India. Having contracted hepatitis B which almost crippled my liver, I was privileged to receive part of my son’s liver. We recovered well from the surgery and the operation was successful as well. “The care shown by and the support provided by the medical team were superb. I’ll never forget the great treatment both professionally and with human touch from all the doctors and supporting staff. I highly recommend Max Hospital for liver transplant treatments." – Mrs. Kabura, Nigeria

Why Choose GetWellGo for Liver Transplant Surgery in India?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for liver transplant surgery.
  • Expert hepatologist with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food

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