Being a complex surgery, the cost of liver transplant in India is essentially a bit on the higher side. However, to ensure your well-being and good health, you should focus on getting this surgery done from a renowned and reliable hospital, rather than thinking too much about the expenses involved. While the overall cost of liver transplant in India would differ from one hospital to another, it is of utmost importance to choose the most reputed medical institution while going through this procedure. The major hospitals specializing in treating liver-related issues shall have experienced and skilled surgeons, physicians, and medical teams who can competently ensure that this complex surgery goes on smoothly, with minimum possible inconvenience faced by the patients.

It is needless to say that cost of liver transplant in India or for such medical procedures can be prohibitively expensive. Insurance will cover part of the payment in terms of the surgery, however there are various clauses, and it is a good idea to check with your insurance agency for better clarity.

Going for a liver transplantation in India

The liver is among the most crucial organs of the body, and performs a host of vital functions. It filters harmful toxins from the blood, creates bile juice needed for digestion, as well as produce proteins necessary for blood clotting. Liver transplantation is a surgical procedure that is carried out for the purpose of replacing the damaged liver with a healthy liver from a donor. Owing to the complexity of this surgery, the cost of liver transplant in India is relatively higher than many other types of surgeries. Doctors only recommend the patients to go for this surgery when their liver is damaged beyond repair and ceases to function as per requirement.

India is one of the leading nations when it comes to providing quality treatment and care for a liver transplant procedure. In fact, as per certain reports, the success rate of Liver transplant in India has been almost as high as 90%. However, much like any other major medical procedure, such a surgery also has its unique risks and complications involved. To ensure that this surgery is completed with utmost efficiency, it is important to go through it at a renowned hospital specializing in liver transplants, even if the cost of liver transplant in India seems to be too high in these institutions.

If you have a health insurance plan, then it is likely to cover to an extent of the cost of liver transplant in India. However, the amount covered would depend on the clauses of your specific policy. For a better insight on this factor, it would be a prudent option for you to contact your insurance provider. A comprehensive insurance plan is expected to cover a major chunk of the cost of liver transplant in India.

Who can donate liver for transplant in India?

You can receive a liver from either a deceased donor or a living donor. The cost of liver transplant in India for both the cases would depend on your unique situation. The following points shall help you to better understand both the options:

 Living Liver donor: This can be your family member or a close friend who has a compatible blood type and approximately matches your liver size. The donor shall donate a part of their liver in such a scenario. However, they do not have to face any permanent loss, as the liver of a healthy donor can be expected to grow back to its normal size within 6-8 weeks.

 Cadaver or deceased donor: In such a scenario, the liver from a deceased individual is transplanted into your body. If you are suffering from an acute liver disease, then you shall need a complete liver transplant, which can be sourced only from a deceased donor. The details for the cost of liver transplant in India, and the waiting list involved for this option can be found on the web.

The procedure for liver transplant

The liver transplantation surgery can last for between 6 to 12 hours, and is typically done under general anesthesia. Here is a simple rundown of the procedure:

 The surgeon shall make a long incision across your abdomen, disconnect the blood supply to and from the liver and bile ducts, and ultimately remove the organ

 Your liver shall then be replaced by that of the donor

 The surgeon shall reattach the bile ducts and blood vessels to the transplanted liver, and go on to place staples and stitches to close the incision

This is how a liver transplant surgery basically works. It is a highly complicated procedure, and hence the cost of liver transplant in India is high. It however is crucial you focus on the quality of care received, than the cost of liver transplant in India.

Liver failure takes place after a long period of time or quickly. If liver failure occurs quickly, in a matter of weeks, it is known as acute liver failure. Although a liver transplant can be used to treat acute liver failure, it is mostly used for chronic liver failure that takes place slowly over months and years.

Scarring of the liver, also known as cirrhosis of the liver, is the most frequent reason leading to liver transplant. This can occur as a result of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Hepatitis B and C, alcoholic liver disease, diseases that affect the bile ducts and genetic diseases that affect the liver.

When heading for a transplant, make sure you know about the cost of liver transplant in India before going ahead with any procedure. Also, make sure you are heading to the right professionals for liver transplant or even combined liver & kidney transplant. This ensures proceedings move forward with minimal complications.