Who needs a liver transplant?
- Liver cirrhosis with complications such as fluid in the abdomen, bleeding or confusion
- Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) within transplant criteria
- Acute liver failure
- Children with biliary atresia and other liver diseases
- Some inherited liver diseases
Who can be a donor?
As with kidney transplants, Indian law requires the donor to be a close relative for international patients, and approval from an authorisation committee is needed. The donor must be healthy, have a compatible blood group, and a suitable liver size on scans. Paid donation is illegal.
Reports to send before you travel
- Liver function tests, INR, bilirubin and kidney function
- Ultrasound, CT or MRI of the liver
- Endoscopy report, if done
- Viral markers (hepatitis B and C)
- A summary of your illness and current medicines
How long you will stay in India
Evaluation and approvals take about 2 to 4 weeks. After surgery the recipient spends about 2 to 3 weeks in hospital, then stays near the hospital for close monitoring. Plan for about 2 to 3 months in India in total for the recipient. The donor usually stays about 3 to 4 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Does the donor's liver grow back?
Yes. The remaining part of the donor's liver regrows to near-normal size within a few months, and so does the part given to the patient.
What happens after I go home?
You take anti-rejection medicines for life and have regular blood tests. We help coordinate follow-up between the Chennai team and your local doctor.
This page gives general information to help you plan. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a doctor who has examined you. Your treating specialist in Chennai will confirm the right treatment for you.