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Liver Transplant Surgery in Singapore

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Liver Transplant Surgery

At present, liver transplant is the only effective method of managing end-stage liver failure or disease. Medication may help relieve symptoms occurring at various stages of chronic liver failure, but, by itself, may not completely resolve the condition if liver damage is irreversible.

Liver transplant surgery is recommended for patients with end-stage liver disease or liver failure and selected patients with liver cancer. During liver transplant surgery, the damaged liver is completely removed and replaced by a transplant of a healthy liver or parts of a healthy liver. This is taken from a deceased or living donor.

Who Needs Liver Transplant Surgery?

Patients suffering from liver failure or liver cancer can be managed with liver transplant surgery.

Acute Liver Failure Liver transplant surgery is considered a life-saving and time-dependent treatment for patients with acute liver failure. This is because of the life-threatening symptoms and signs that quickly develop with this condition, such as encephalopathy (coma) and jaundice.

Chronic Liver Failure Liver transplant surgery is helpful for patients with chronic liver failure. However, unlike acute liver failure, chronic liver failure tends to last for months or even years because it generally results from liver cirrhosis, which is caused by frequent liver injuries. For this reason, chronic liver failure patients have less priority compared to acute liver failure patients on the waiting list of liver donors.

Liver Cancer Selected liver cancer patients can be managed with liver transplants. The best candidates are those with liver cancer of size less than 5cm, not having more than 3 nodules and no evidence of invasion into blood vessels.

However, not all patients are eligible for liver transplant surgery.

Generally, patients can undergo liver transplant surgery if their health status is capable of handling previously mentioned side effects (should they occur). According to the University of California San Francisco, listed below are several examples of patients who are not suitable for liver transplant surgery.

  • Patients with liver cancer that has spread to other parts.
  • Patients who are expected not to benefit enough from the surgery, such as those having severe and incurable diseases that reduce a patient’s life expectancy to a short term.
  • Patients with severe pulmonary hypertension
  • Patients who continue to abuse substances that may induce liver failure, such as alcohol and certain drugs.
  • Patients with severe psychiatric illnesses with unmanageable symptoms, which may hinder them from understanding and following doctors’ medical advice regarding necessary care post-surgery.

Complications of Liver Transplant Surgery

Complications of liver transplant surgery may be divided into 2 groups. The first group can occur during and/or after the surgery; it may include:

  • Bleeding and blood clotting
  • Bile leak
  • Fluid build-up
  • Infections
  • Rejection of the transplanted liver
  • Transplanted Liver Function Issues

The second group of complications of liver transplant surgery are side effects of administering anti-rejection medications; it may include:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Diabetes
  • Osteoporosis

Liver Transplant Survival Rate

Liver transplant survival rates generally depend on the health condition of both the patient and the transplanted liver. The expectation is that about 70% of patients live at least 5 years after liver transplant surgery while the remaining 30% may not survive beyond that period.

Do discuss the option of a liver transplant with your doctor. Some patients with end-stage liver disease or liver cancer may be good candidates for liver transplants.

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6 Napier Road, #10-01, Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore 258499

Tel: +65 6475 1488
Fax: +65 6475 1489
Email: info@liversurgery.com

Opening Hours Mon – Fri: 9am to 5pm
Sat: 9am to 12pm
Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays

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