Frequently Asked Questions

Liver transplant, put simply, is the process of replacing the diseased liver with a donated, healthy liver An extremely advanced procedure, it banks heavily on the expertise and experience of the transplant team and of course, high-end medical technology, transplant team and of course, high-end medical technology. There are two types of liver transplant: living donor transplant and cadaveric donor (deceased donor) transplant. When a healthy person donates part of his or her liver for transplantation, it is called living donor transplant. Living donor liver transplant has its advantages. If someone, preferably a family member is willing to donate part of their liver and the blood type matches, there is no need to wait. The liver regenerates itself and will grow to its normal size in both the donor and the recipient in 6-8 weeks. In case there is no live donor available, then one has to wait for cadaveric organ transplant (the liver of a donor who is brain-dead)..In some cases, one donor liver can be transplanted in two people. This is called Split Liver Transplantation. Worldwide, the success rate of liver transplant- both live and cadaveric - is quite high. Patients undergoing liver transplantation can expect a success rate of over 90%. We also perform pancreas transplant , which in most cases, is carried out simultaneously with a kidney transplant.

Like every advanced surgery, liver transplant too can have possible complications in some cases. ​ Your body’s immune system is programmed to destroy foreign substances that invade your body. This means your immune system may attempt to attack your new liver. This is called rejection and is see in more 30% liver-transplant patients within the first year of transplant. The doctors will give you anti-rejection medications to counter the immune attack.

Post-surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 weeks, so that we ensure you recover well. However, it is different for different people, as some might need more time to recover from post-surgery complications. Our doctors will always take time out to listen to you and to take good care of you, supported by our award winning team of CLS/BLS/ATLS/PALS certified nurses. In order to ensure your smooth recovery even after you get back home, our nurses and transplant coordinator will prepare well in advance prior to discharge. What you should do and what not will be explained to you in detail, along with your new medications that will help you overcome possible post-surgery complications. You will need to take these medications all your life. Our medical team will also tell you how to keep a watch on signs of rejection and infection and when you should seek immediate medical help.

It is very important to follow-up as advised after the surgery. You should do every single health check-up as prescribed without fail. You will become a participant in your own healthcare, and we will do everything possible to ensure you remain safe and healthy.

Kidneys are your body’s filters. They purify blood several times a day, maintain your body’s fluid and electrolyte balance and produce urine. So when the kidneys fail to function, your body starts getting poisoned. Each of your kidneys comprises a million microscopic filtering units called nephron. The most dangerous fact about kidney or renal failure is that one might not know about it till 90% of the function is lost. The symptoms of kidney or renal damage include symptoms like swollen ankles, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. If not addressed medically, the kidneys will eventually become dysfunctional – a condition that’s life threatening.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when your kidneys have been malfunctioning for more than 3 months. It’s an irreparable, life threatening condition and there might be no visible symptoms at all. Diabetes (types 1 and 2), high blood pressure, immune system diseases such as Lupus and chronic viral illnesses like AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can also cause kidney failure. The other reasons for kidney failure include: Multiple episodes of urinary tract infection Post-strep infection Polycystic kidney disease Inherited kidney diseases Congenital or birth defects - In many cases, the defect is rectified while the baby is still in mother’s womb; whereas those with major complications can only be managed at a later stage. Drugs and toxins, including long-term use medications like NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs Long-term exposure to certain chemicals

Kidney transplant is the process of replacing the diseased kidney with a healthy, donated kidney. It is recommended only if the kidneys are so damaged that they cannot be managed medically (Chronic Kidney Disease or End Stage Renal Disease). In some cases, transplant might not be a practical solution if the patient has an active infection or another life-threatening disease such as cancer, severe heart or lung diseases. Fortunately, according to worldwide figures, the success rate of kidney transplant is above 95%. This not only comes as a reassurance for those opting for transplant, but also reaffirms the fact that kidney transplant is indeed an effective mode of treatment.

There are two types of kidney transplants: Live donor Transplant and Cadaver Transplant When a person is transplanted with a kidney from a live donor, it is called Live Donor Transplant. The donor could be anyone - a family member, friend, colleague or even a random person who is generous enough to gift life by donating one of his/ her kidney. Usually, the success rates of kidney transplants in which the donor and recipient belong to one family (parent/ sibling) are higher. This is because of high donor-recipient compatibility, which means the chances of rejection are very low. A live donor makes things easy as the waiting period is lesser and the patient gets well faster. Cadaver transplant is when the kidney is got from a donor who is certified brain-dead. He or she would have would have signed up for donation before death. The kidney is surgically removed after obtaining consent from the deceased’s family and transplanted in the recipient.

You will have to go through a series of investigations before the surgery to ensure that the donor kidney matches your tissue and blood type. You will also be screened for other health problems including heart or lung diseases. After these tests, you will be enlisted on the transplant list and also on the organ sharing network list. As soon as a matching recipient is available, we will let you know; and if all factors are favourable, our entire team will work as one to ensure you undergo the surgery without any issues.

The post-surgical risks, like every other transplant surgery, include rejection, infection, bleeding or reaction to anaesthesia. Rejection happens when the body fails to recognise the new kidney and fights to destroy it. During the first few weeks or months post-surgery, your body may try to reject your new kidney. This is called acute rejection and occurs in 25 - 55% of the recipients. You’ll be given immuno-suppressants to counter this problem. Remember, it is mandatory to continue these medicines for the rest of your life. There is also a chance of chronic rejection - a gradual, progressive loss of kidney function that may occur over many years. Unfortunately, there’s no known treatment for chronic rejection and the patient may have depend on dialysis again or opt for another transplant. Aster Centre of Excellence in Multi-Organ Transplant has a very strong infection control system that’s managed by a highly-trained team of infectious diseases & infection control Physicians. Besides, we also have advanced technology like the HEPA Filter that purifies air to 0.3 microns, creating a safe and sterile environment for the patient.