Liver Transplant

minimum cost
₱ 0
maximum cost
₱ 0

Things you need to know

1.What is ​Liver Transplant?
2.Why do you need it?
3.Why cost vary in philippines?
4.Surgery cost range by city
5.Surgery Procedure
6.Recovery
7.Risk and complications
8.FAQ
9.Conclusion

What is Liver Transplant ?

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Why do you need Liver Transplant ?

Liver transplant is indicated for:

  • End-stage liver disease (ESLD):
    • Causes: Cirrhosis (e.g., hepatitis C/B, alcohol-related; 60–70%), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD, 10–20%).
    • Symptoms: Jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding (links to your endoscopy query).
    • Prevalence in India: 15–20 per 100,000 have ESLD; 20,000–25,000 need transplants yearly (2023 data).
  • Other indications:
    • Acute liver failure: Sudden liver failure (e.g., drug toxicity, viral hepatitis; 5–10% of cases).
    • Liver cancer: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, within Milan criteria; 10–15%).
    • Metabolic disorders: Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis (rare).
  • Types:
    • Living donor liver transplant (LDLT): Part of donor’s liver (e.g., right lobe); 60–70% in India due to donor shortage.
    • Deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT): Whole liver from brain-dead donor (30–40%); wait time 6–24 months.
  • Associated treatments:
    • Pre-op: Manage complications (e.g., ascites drainage, TIPS for variceal bleeding).
    • Post-op: Immunosuppressants (e.g., tacrolimus), infection prophylaxis.
  • Timing:
    • Performed in adults and children (average age 30–60 years); scheduled based on MELD score (6–40, higher score = higher urgency); urgent for acute failure.

The procedure aims to restore liver function, improve survival, and enhance quality of life, with high success rates when paired with proper post-op care.

Why Do Liver Transplant Costs Vary in Philippines?

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Liver Transplant Procedure

  • Before Procedure Evaluation:
    • Assessment:
      • MELD score: Calculates severity (bilirubin, INR, creatinine); score ≥15 often indicates transplant need.
      • Blood tests: Crossmatch, liver function (ALT/AST), infection screening (e.g., hepatitis, CMV).
      • Imaging: CT/MRI to assess liver anatomy, vascular patency; cardiac evaluation (ECG, stress test).
    • Preparation: Optimize nutrition (malnutrition common in ESLD), manage ascites, fasting 6–8 hours.
    • Consent: Risks, including rejection, are explained.
  • Procedure Technique:
    • Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT):
      • Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 6–12 hours (recipient), 4–6 hours (donor).
      • Process:
        • Donor surgery: Right lobe (60% of liver) removed (laparoscopic/open); donor liver regenerates in 6–8 weeks.
        • Recipient surgery: Incision (Mercedes-Benz, 20–30 cm) in upper abdomen; diseased liver removed (hepatectomy).
        • Implantation: Donor liver lobe placed; hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct anastomosed to recipient’s vessels/duct.
        • Closure: Incision sutured; drains placed (removed in 3–5 days); ICU monitoring for 2–5 days.
    • Intraoperative Tools:
      • Doppler: Confirms blood flow to liver.
      • Biliary stent: Prevents bile leaks (removed 3–6 months later).
      • Cell saver: Recycles blood to reduce transfusion need.
  • After Procedure:
    • Hospital stay: 14–21 days (recipient); 5–7 days (donor).
    • Care: Monitor liver function (bilirubin, INR), signs of rejection, and infection; early ambulation (day 2–3).
    • Pain management: Moderate pain for 3–7 days; managed with painkillers (e.g., fentanyl in ICU, then tramadol).
    • Instructions: Avoid heavy lifting for 8–12 weeks; take immunosuppressants; monitor for fever or jaundice.

Recovery After Liver Transplant

  1. Hospital Stay: 14–21 days (recipient); 5–7 days (donor).
  2. Post-Procedure Care:
    • Pain: Moderate for 3–7 days; resolves in 2–3 weeks.
    • Activity: Avoid strenuous activity for 8–12 weeks; light walking encouraged (day 2–3) to prevent clots (links to your thrombectomy query).
    • Liver function: Improves in 1–2 weeks (bilirubin normalizes); full regeneration in 6–8 weeks (donor and recipient).
    • Diet: High-protein, low-salt diet; avoid alcohol and raw foods (infection risk) for 3–6 months.
    • Medications: Immunosuppressants (lifelong), antibiotics/antivirals (3–6 months).
  3. Follow-Up:
    • Visits weekly for 1 month, then monthly for 1 year; monitor liver function, drug levels (e.g., tacrolimus).
    • Ultrasound: At 1–3 months to check liver perfusion; 85–90% graft survival at 1 year (LDLT).

Most resume normal activities in 2–3 months; full recovery takes 6–12 months. Success rate: 85–90% graft survival at 1 year (LDLT); 80–85% (DDLT); 70–75% patient survival at 5 years with adherence.

Risks and Complications

  • Procedure Risks:
    • Bleeding (5–10%): During surgery; may need transfusion (links to your vascular trauma query).
    • Infection (10–20%): Wound or intra-abdominal; treated with antibiotics.
    • Hepatic artery thrombosis (3–5%): Clot in artery; may need reoperation or re-transplant (links to your embolectomy query).
  • Post-Procedure:
    • Rejection (20–30% in 1st year): Acute (treatable with steroids) or chronic; needs monitoring.
    • Bile leak (5–10%): From anastomosis; may need stenting (links to your endoscopy query).
    • Primary non-function (1–3%): Liver fails to work; may need urgent re-transplant.
  • Long-Term:
    • Recurrence (20–40%): Underlying disease (e.g., hepatitis C, HCC) may recur; needs monitoring.
    • Infections (20–30%): Due to immunosuppression; managed with prophylaxis.

Report fever, jaundice, severe pain, or swelling promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes the need for a liver transplant?

ESLD from cirrhosis (e.g., hepatitis, alcohol, NAFLD), acute liver failure, or liver cancer (HCC).

Can I avoid a liver transplant?

Yes, if early-stage: Manage with medications, TIPS, or lifestyle changes; transplant needed for ESLD or acute failure.

Is a liver transplant painful?

Moderate pain for 3–7 days; managed with medication; resolves in 2–3 weeks.

How soon can I resume normal activities?

Light activities: 3–4 weeks; full recovery: 6–12 months; avoid strenuous activity for 8–12 weeks.

Is a liver transplant covered by insurance in India?

Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.

Signs of complications?

Fever, jaundice, severe pain, or swelling.

How long does a liver transplant last?

85–90% graft survival at 1 year (LDLT); 70–75% patient survival at 5 years; may need re-transplant later.

Lifestyle changes post-surgery?

Take immunosuppressants, avoid alcohol, follow a low-salt diet, exercise moderately, and attend regular follow-ups.

Conclusion

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Looking for Best Hospitals for Liver Transplant

Note: we are not promoting any hospitals

We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)

  • click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
City Minimum Price (₱) Maximum Price (₱)
Angeles City
Antipolo
Bacolod
Bacoor
Baguio
Butuan
Cagayan de Oro
Caloocan
Cebu City
Dasmariñas
Davao City
General Santos
General Trias
Iligan
Iloilo City
Las Piñas
Makati
Malolos
Manila
Muntinlupa
Parañaque
Pasay
Pasig
Puerto Princesa
Quezon City
San Fernando
San Jose del Monte
Taguig
Valenzuela
Zamboanga City

Disclaimer

This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.

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