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Liver Transplant
Surgery Abroad
Liver Transplant cost: US $250,000 - $314,000
Liver Transplant Surgery Cost in India – US $40,000-$60,000
{the cost covers all destination medical & logistics costs}
Liver transplant abroad, in countries like India, Mexico and Jordan, is
a much cost effective option for patients who find it difficult to afford one
in their home country, as well as a respite to those who do not want to be added
to long waiting lists or patients who do not find advanced treatment facilities
in their home countries. Liver transplant, also known as hepatic transplantation,
is the replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy liver allograft. A liver
transplant surgery is advised when:
- the doctor finds chronic, irreversible liver dysfunction
- the recipient does not have other conditions that will preclude a
successful transplant
- liver cancer
- benign liver tumors
- hereditary diseases
Sometimes the cause of liver disease remains unknown.
Liver transplant are advised for
numerous reasons:
- In adults, the most common reason is cirrhosis, caused by many
different types of liver injuries which destroy healthy liver cells and
replace them with scarred tissue. Viruses such as hepatitis B and C,
alcohol, buildup of fat in the liver and hereditary liver diseases are
among the main causes of cirrhosis.
- A liver transplant in children is most commonly required due to a
condition known as biliary atresia. Bile ducts (tubes that carry bile
out of the liver) are either missing or damaged in this disease. An
obstructed bile causes cirrhosis. Bile helps digest food.
As this is an organ transplant, this surgery is much more complicated
than other forms. Right from finding a donor to recovering enough to
ensure that the organ has been accepted by the body, this is one of the
most difficult surgeries to undertake. Also, in terms of cost, a liver
transplant may given patients nightmares. Cost of a liver transplant
surgery in the US can vary between $250,000 - $314,000. But this is
greatly reduced if one opts for a liver transplant abroad. Many people
are now opting for liver transplant surgeries in India. State of the
art medical facilities are provided and the treatments are much
affordable.
On this page, we will look at liver transplant more closely, while also
throwing some light on the procedure and recovery period. Also, we will
discuss the liver transplant surgery options offered in India, which
has grown into one of the most advanced centers in the world for organ
transplants, particularly liver transplant surgery. (http://www.medicaltourismco.com/organ-transplant/dr-subhas-gupta-india-liver-transplant-expert.php)
What are the Signs of Liver
Dysfunction and Subsequent Liver Transplant?
Different reasons show different symptoms, but there
are some signs of liver dysfunction which require immediate attention:
- Feeling of being weak, tired or exhausted all the time.
- Rapid loss of appetite.
- Constant feeling of being sick in the stomach.
- Alarming weight loss.
- Bruising or bleeding easily. Nose bleeds require immediate
attention.
- Bloating due to fluid buildup in the abdomen.
- Declining mental functions.
Situations Under which You Cannot
Get a Liver Transplant
Not everyone can get a liver transplant surgery. Below are some reasons why your
doctor might advise you against an organ transplant:
- Cancer in another part of your body
- Serious heart, lung or nerve disease
- Active alcohol or illegal drug abuse
- An active, severe infection
Liver Transplant Surgery Procedure
There are three types of liver transplant surgery procedures -
Orthotopic transplantation, Heterotopic transplantation surgery and
Reduced-size liver transplantation.
Orthotopic transplantation - is
the replacement of the complete diseased liver with a healthy organ.
When this type of a transplant is performed, a segment of the inferior
vena cava attached to the liver is taken from the donor as well. The
same parts are removed from the recipient and replaced by connecting
the inferior vena cava, the hepatic artery, the portal vein and the
bile ducts.
Heterotopic transplantation -
surgery involves the addition of a healthy donor liver at another site,
while the diseased liver is left intact. This liver transplant surgery
procedure is performed when the doctor is of the opinion that the
diseased liver might recover. The healthy liver is attached very near
to the original liver. If the liver recovers, the other organ shrivels
away. If not, then the original one shrivels and the donor liver
performs the body functions.
Reduced-size liver transplantation
- is most often performed on children and involves the transplanting a
part of the healthy donor liver into a patient. This procedure is
performed when 15-20% of the original liver is intact. This way, one
donor liver can be used for two successful transplants.
Liver Transplant Recovery
Because it is a major surgery, the liver transplant recovery period
is longer (4-10 weeks), as is the hospital stay. Post the surgery, you
will have to take a number of precautions, right from religiously going
for follow-ups to taking medication all your life. Due to the nature of
the surgery, a liver transplant might require you to be on medication
for as long as you live.
Right after the surgery, the patient is put in the Intensive Care Unit
or the ICU, even if there are no visible complication to ensure that
everything is normal. During the days in the ICU, the body functions,
specifically the functioning of the liver, are monitored to make sure
there is no dysfunctioning and that the body is working fine with the
new organ. Once the patient is stable, he is moved to the general ward
where his stay might vary between 1-2 weeks. Discharge is only allowed
once the doctor is sure that the body has adjusted with the new liver
and the transplant is completely successful.
Follow-ups are the most important and essential part of the liver
transplant recovery process. And these should be taken very seriously.
A schedule is designed for the patient depending upon a number of
factors, and it is of the utmost importance to follow it. Periodic
blood test and other check-ups will help the surgeon ensure that
everything is on track. Missing a follow ups appointment might end in
oversee of a condition which required immediate attention.
After a liver transplant, patients are prescribed numerous medicines.
Some of these might be for a definite time, but there are some which
might be lifelong. Drugs called immunosuppressants help keep the immune
system from attacking the new liver. Other drugs help reduce the risk
of other complications post the organ transplant. It is essential to
keep these medicines going and take them as and when prescribed.
Liver Transplant Surgery Abroad
Organ transplant surgeries are one of the most expensive and time consuming
surgeries. Everything from finding a donor and performing the surgery to the
prolonged recovery period and lifelong medication, each factor adds to the cost,
making liver transplant difficult to afford for some people. This is where medical
tourism centers come in. Offering advanced medical facilities and treatments
by highly qualified and experienced doctors, these centers provide safe and
quick transplant surgeries at affordable rates.
India, Mexico and Jordan have lately emerged as one of the most
advanced centers for liver transplant surgeries. The medical facilities
are much advanced and the surgeons are well qualified and experienced
(http://www.medicaltourismco.com/VH/dr-anand-khakkar-india-liver-transplant-specialist.php).
When opting for a liver transplant surgery abroad, patients are advised
a living donor transplant instead of a cadaveric liver transplant, as
the former is more practical for foreigns traveling overseas.
Living Donor Transplant vs. Cadaveric
Liver Transplant
Living donor liver transplant has emerged in recent decades as a
critical surgical option for patients with end stage liver diseases
requiring immediate liver transplants. Unlike in cadaveric transplants,
wherein the donor is not alive, a living donor transplant requires a
donor from the patient's immediate family. Due to the growing number of
patients requiring liver transplants, and limited number of cadaveric
donors, living donor transplants are always more practical. Living
donor liver transplantation (LDLT) comes as a relief to patients who
require immediate transplants and cannot afford to wait for long; and
the widespread shortage of cadaveric livers for patients awaiting
transplants is not a secret.
LDLT is made possible due to the human liver's remarkable regenerative
capacities. The donor donates a portion of their healthy liver to the
patient, and this portion might just be enough to sustain the liver's
normal functions.
Patients opting for a liver transplant abroad are always required to be
accompanied by a healthy donor for a living donor liver transplant as
cadaveric transplants are not practical for foreign nationals. The
waiting list can be really long, in which case having a ready donor is
always the best option.
Liver Transplant in India
Liver transplants in India cost only a fraction of what they do in the
US. Despite the fact that the country offers the most advanced
facilities and treatment options, the surgery costs are greatly reduced
and the procedure costs anywhere between US $40, 000 - $60, 000. Also,
there is virtually no waiting time. Leading
surgeons perform liver transplants at the world renowned hospitals
which are well equipped and technologically advanced. The doctors are
highly qualified and much experienced, as is the staff. Also, when it
comes to liver transplants, India has many successes to its credit,
including liver transplant surgery in India for the youngest child and
the first combined liver-kidney transplant in India.
For foreigners, only living donor liver transplants are facilitated,
which requires them to bring a healthy, willing donor (a family member)
with them when they come for a transplant. Cadaveric transplants are
not practical for foreign nationals and also, the success rate for the
former is much more.
Liver Transplant Surgery in Mexico
Mexico offers safe and reliable medical facilities for liver transplant
surgeries where foreigners can get a transplant at very affordable
rates. The hospitals are well equipped and the doctors are experienced
and well qualified. One of the biggest advantages of getting a liver
transplant surgery in Mexico, in addition to the reduced costs, is the
fact that it is a closer to home option for patients from the US and
Canada.
Liver Transplant Surgery Jordan
Jordan is another nation which offers affordable liver transplant
surgery. Coupled with reduced cost are treatment via advanced medical
technologies and experienced doctors. As in India and Mexico, living
donor transplants are facilitated in Jordan over cadaveric transplants
as the former are more practical for foreign nationals.
There are some things to keep in mind before
you opt for a liver transplant surgery abroad. Most important ones are:
- Someone must recommend you for a liver transplant in your own
country.
- You must be accompanied by a family member of the correct blood
group in the age of 18-50 years, who is willing to donate a part of
their liver.
Most patients in the USA find it difficult to incur the costs of a liver transplant
surgery coupled with the long hospital stay and medicine expenses if their insurance
does not cover the procedure. This is greatly taken care of when one opts for
a liver transplant abroad. As the surgery procedure costs less, you can choose
to stay in the hospital for as long you think required. It is always better to
be under constant medical supervision till the pain and discomfort have completely
gone away.
Liver Transplant Surgery Resources
Liver
Transplant Information Video - Dr. Anand Khakkar
Liver
Transplant Information Video - Dr. Subhas Gupta
Mayo
Clinic - Liver Transplant
Liver
Transplant - Wikipedia
Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates low
cost Liver Transplant Surgery in India. Fill out the free estimate
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