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.
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.
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.
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:
The second group of complications of liver transplant surgery are side effects of administering anti-rejection medications; it may include:
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.
Professional Care You Can trust
New DLS Group Office
We have opened a new administrative office to support our operations.
The address is:
545 Orchard Road
#10-09 Far East Shopping Centre
Singapore 238882
All medical services continue as usual at our four clinics.
Thank you!
Senior Consultant Surgeon
Senior Consultant Surgeon