What is liver transplant?
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.
What are the pre-transplant formalities?
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.
What are the possible post-transplant risks?
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.
Can elderly patients or very obese patients undergo spine surgery?
The advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery enable us to safely perform spine surgery in elderly patients with multiple medical problems and also obese /overweight patients, with the best possible medical outcomes.
What is the purpose of Lumbar fusion?
Lumbar fusion is done to correct issues with the vertebrae such as painful motion and stability of the spine.
What is Awake spine surgery?
These are surgeries done under local or regional anaesthesia without using general anaesthesia. Certain Minimally invasive spine surgery can be done in this manner.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition wherein a person’s spine or back is curved like an “S” or “C”
Scoliosis can be a by birth, acquired or age-related condition
Early detection and correction (in the adolescent age itself) is the key to effective treatment of scoliosis
Severe or visible scoliosis, if left untreated, can lead to complications including disfigurement, pain, breathing difficulties or nerve damage
What is bariatric surgery?
It is a surgical intervention to promote weight loss by making changes to your digestive system. Decreasing the size of the stomach creates a feeling of fullness when you eat.
When to opt for bariatric surgery, am I the ideal candidate?
Bariatric procedures are suggested to you if other weight management measures are failed and you suffer from obesity related health conditions
What are alcoholic liver diseases?
Alcohol is a toxin that can cause irreversible damage to your liver. Every time you drink, your liver does its best to break down the alcohol and expel the toxins from your body. However, if the alcohol content is beyond what the liver can handle, it will gradually start losing its ability to function, which in turn leads to several complications.
