What is a liver transplant?
A liver transplant is a surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a deceased or living donor. The liver is a vital organ that performs many important functions in the body, including:
- Filtering toxins from the blood
- Producing bile, which helps to digest fats
- Storing vitamins and minerals
- Regulating blood sugar levels
- Fighting infection
Why would someone need to have a liver transplant?
Liver transplantation is typically recommended for people with end-stage liver disease. This means that the liver is so damaged that it can no longer function properly. End-stage liver disease can be caused by a number of conditions, including:
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Primary biliary cholangitis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Autoimmune liver diseases
- Liver cancer
What conditions can a liver transplant treat?
Liver transplantation can treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Acute liver failure
- Chronic liver failure
- Primary liver cancer
- Other conditions that damage the liver, such as cystic fibrosis and Wilson's disease
How long can you live without a liver transplant?
People with end-stage liver disease cannot survive without a liver transplant. The average life expectancy for people with end-stage liver disease is less than two years without a transplant.
How common are liver transplants?
In the United States, there are approximately 8,000 liver transplants performed each year.
What are the criteria to qualify for a liver transplant?
To qualify for a liver transplant, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have end-stage liver disease.
- You must be in good overall health.
- You must be able to tolerate the surgery and the medications that are required after surgery.
How is the liver transplant waiting list ranked?
The liver transplant waiting list is ranked based on the severity of the patient's liver disease and other medical factors. Patients with the most severe liver disease are given priority.
How are donor livers matched with transplant recipients?
Donor livers are matched with transplant recipients based on blood type, size, and other factors.
How much liver is needed for a liver transplant?
For most liver transplants, the entire liver is replaced. However, in some cases, a partial liver transplant may be possible.
How serious is liver transplant surgery?
Liver transplant surgery is a major surgery, but it is relatively safe. The overall survival rate for liver transplant recipients is over 90% after one year.
What happens during liver transplant surgery?
During liver transplant surgery, the surgeon will remove the diseased liver and replace it with the donor liver. The surgery typically takes 6-8 hours.
What happens after liver transplant surgery?
After liver transplant surgery, you will spend several days in the hospital. During this time, you will be closely monitored by your doctors and nurses. You will also begin taking medications to suppress your immune system and prevent organ rejection.
What kind of follow-up care will I have during recovery?
After you leave the hospital, you will need to follow up with your doctor regularly. You will also need to take medications to suppress your immune system and prevent organ rejection for the rest of your life.
Risks / Benefits
What are the possible risks or complications of liver transplant surgery?
The possible risks and complications of liver transplant surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Organ rejection
- Blood clots
- Bile duct problems
- Side effects from anti-rejection medications
What kinds of problems might arise after a liver transplant?
After a liver transplant, you may experience a number of problems, including:
- Organ rejection
- Infection
- Side effects from anti-rejection medications
- Other problems, such as cancer, kidney disease, and heart disease
Liver Transplant Common FAQs
Q. Who needs a liver transplant?
A. Liver transplants are typically recommended for people with end-stage liver disease, which is when the liver is so damaged that it can no longer function properly. This can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatitis B and C
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Wilson's disease
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Liver cancer
Q. Can patients with liver cancer get a liver transplant?
Yes, patients with liver cancer can get a liver transplant, but there are some restrictions. For example, the cancer must be confined to the liver and must not have spread to other parts of the body. The patient must also be in good overall health and able to tolerate the surgery.
Q. How long is the wait for a liver transplant?
A. The wait time for a liver transplant can vary depending on a number of factors, including the patient's blood type, the severity of their liver disease, and the availability of donor livers. In the United States, the average wait time for a liver transplant is about 10 months.
Q. How does the wait list for a liver transplant work?
A. Patients are placed on the liver transplant wait list based on a number of factors, including the severity of their liver disease, their blood type, and their MELD score. The MELD score is a system that calculates the patient's risk of death within 3 months. Patients with the highest MELD scores are given priority on the wait list.
Q. Can someone travel while on the liver transplant waiting list?
A. Yes, patients can travel while on the liver transplant waiting list, but they should talk to their transplant team before they go. The transplant team will need to know where the patient will be traveling and how they can be reached if they need to be called back for a transplant.
Q. Is receiving a liver donated by a living friend or family member an option?
A. Yes, receiving a liver donated by a living friend or family member is an option. This is called a living donor liver transplant. Living donor liver transplants have a number of advantages over deceased donor liver transplants, such as shorter wait times and better outcomes. However, it is important to note that living donor liver transplant is not without risk, and both the donor and the recipient need to be carefully evaluated before surgery.
If you have any other questions about liver transplants, please talk to your doctor.
