Liver Transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a diseased or damaged liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a deceased or, in some cases, a living donor. This complex and life-saving procedure is typically performed for individuals with end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure.

Here are key aspects of liver transplantation:

Indications for Liver Transplantation:

End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD): Liver transplantation is often considered when a person's liver is severely damaged and is unable to function properly. This can result from chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or metabolic disorders.

Acute Liver Failure: In cases where the liver rapidly loses its function, transplantation may be necessary to prevent life-threatening complications.

Liver Cancer: Certain cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer) may be eligible for liver transplantation, especially if the cancer is within specified criteria.

Donor Types:

Deceased Donor (Cadaveric Transplant): The most common type of liver transplantation involves using a liver from a deceased donor. Organs are obtained from individuals who have been declared brain dead but still have functioning organs.

Living Donor Transplant: In some situations, a living person may donate a portion of their liver, typically the right lobe, to the recipient. The liver has the remarkable ability to regenerate, allowing both the donor and recipient livers to grow back to near-normal size.

Liver Transplantation Procedure:

Evaluation: Both the recipient and potential living donors undergo a thorough medical and psychological evaluation to ensure the procedure is appropriate and safe.

Surgery: The surgical procedure involves removing the diseased liver from the recipient and replacing it with the healthy donor liver. The blood vessels and bile ducts are carefully connected to ensure proper blood flow and drainage.

Postoperative Care: After the surgery, recipients are closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a period, and then in a regular hospital setting. Immunosuppressive medications are prescribed to prevent the recipient's immune system from attacking the new liver.

Recovery and Follow-up:

Recovery times vary, but patients typically spend several weeks in the hospital and then continue their recovery at home. Long-term follow-up is essential to monitor the health of the transplanted liver and manage any potential complications.

Liver transplantation has significantly improved survival rates and the quality of life for individuals with severe liver diseases. However, the availability of donor organs is limited, and transplantation decisions are made based on medical urgency, severity of illness, and organ availability.