Liver Transplant

Surgically replacing a diseased or failing liver with a healthy liver from a deceased donor or a portion of a living donor's liver is known as a liver transplant. End-stage liver disease is usually taken into consideration when other treatments are ineffective and the liver is no longer able to operate normally.

When is a Liver Transplant Needed?

Common Causes of Liver Failure Leading to Transplant:

1. Cirrhosis (scarring from chronic liver disease) – Due to:

• Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH)
• Chronic hepatitis B or C

2. Acute Liver Failure (sudden failure from toxins, infections, or drugs).

3. Liver Cancers – Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

4. Genetic & Metabolic Disorders –

• Hemochromatosis (iron overload)
• Wilson’s disease (copper buildup)
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

5. Biliary Atresia (common in infants requiring transplant).

Symptoms Leading to Liver Transplant Evaluation

Early Signs of Liver Disease:

• Fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite
• Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
• Itchy skin (from bile buildup)
• Swelling in legs/abdomen (edema, ascites)

Advanced Liver Failure Symptoms (Transplant Needed):

• Confusion, drowsiness (hepatic encephalopathy)
• Severe bleeding (coagulopathy)
• Kidney failure (hepatorenal syndrome)
• Persistent infections (due to weakened immunity)
• Variceal bleeding (ruptured veins in esophagus/stomach)

Types of Liver Transplants

1. Deceased Donor Transplant – Full liver from a brain-dead donor.
2. Living Donor Transplant – A portion (usually right lobe) from a healthy donor (liver regenerates in both recipient and donor).
3. Split-Liver Transplant – One deceased donor liver split for two recipients.