Kathmandu — The liver is one of the most vital organs in the human body, responsible for detoxification, digestion, and numerous metabolic processes. When the liver becomes severely damaged due to various conditions, liver transplantation (liver transplant) may become the final treatment option.
Dr. Ekanand Singh, a liver transplant surgeon at KIST Medical College, explains that a liver transplant involves removing a failing liver and replacing it with a healthy one.
Why Does the Liver Fail?
The most common cause of liver failure is cirrhosis, an irreversible condition where the liver gradually deteriorates, potentially endangering life. Liver transplantation may also be required for patients with liver cancer or sudden liver failure due to conditions such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or food poisoning.
What Are the Risks?
Liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure and carries inherent risks. However, Dr. Singh emphasizes that the benefits outweigh the risks, especially when medications fail and the patient’s life is at stake.
How Is a Liver Obtained?
In Nepal and South Asia, living donors—usually close relatives—provide a portion of their liver. According to the Human Organ Transplant Act, donors must be aged 18 to 55. Occasionally, livers from brain-dead individuals are also used, but this practice remains limited due to low awareness.
The Surgical Process
Donors undergo extensive evaluations to minimize risks. The surgery to remove a portion of the donor’s liver typically lasts around eight hours, while the recipient’s transplant surgery can take up to 12 hours. Donors are usually discharged within seven days, whereas patients may stay 15–20 days post-transplant.
Cost of Liver Transplant
In Nepal, the cost of a liver transplant is approximately NPR 3.5 million, which includes medications, medical equipment, hospital charges, and physician fees. Currently, government financial support is limited, requiring patients to cover most expenses themselves.
Liver Transplant in Nepal
Dr. Singh states that liver transplant services are now readily available in Nepal, with a success rate exceeding 90 percent. However, some patients may not survive due to infections or other complications.
Protecting Your Liver
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Follow a regular and balanced lifestyle
While transplantation remains the last resort for severe liver failure, prevention through timely awareness and lifestyle modifications is the best way to safeguard liver health.