A liver transplant is a major procedure with many external factors. The procedure is time-sensitive, and the donor's health condition contributes to liver transplant success abroad. Many patients might travel abroad to receive a liver transplant to avoid the waitlist.
But other appeals encourage patients to travel abroad to seek liver transplants besides avoiding the waitlist; these include:
Doctors abroad speak and communicate in English
Some patients might hesitate to consider having the treatment abroad because of language or cultural barriers. But in medical tourism destinations like Turkey, Hungary, and Poland, the doctors regularly serve international patients. They can communicate in good English.
Some doctors had their training abroad, which explains their good English proficiency. Also, their clinics have assistants who communicate in English.
Modern facilities and equipment
The specialist surgeon uses the latest technology and equipment in their field. Ensuring your treatment will have great results and a higher success rate.
You can access more treatment options
Traveling abroad for treatment will open other possibilities or introduce a better, more effective treatment.
Highly skilled and experienced surgeons
The surgeons are highly experienced with years of practice. Their clinics are accredited by renowned institutions like Joint Commission International JCI or International Organization for Standardization ISO.
Check the local regulation: It is essential to know how the treatment is regulated in your chosen country. This will help you identify reputable clinics registered with the governing body or national association. It will also tell you about your rights.
Prepare a list of questions for your doctor: prepare a list of questions to ensure you receive quality treatment. Common questions to ask - do they provide a translator? Do they have patients' testimonials? Is the clinic registered with the national association?
Verify the surgeon's experience. Ask about the surgeon's education, additional fellowship training, and how many times they performed the treatment.
Schedule an online consultation. Most clinics or hospitals that work with international patients offer this service.
Research the condition of the clinic before booking. It's recommended to visit the clinic before booking and finalizing the procedure. Talk to the staff and past patients if possible.
Ask what's the follow-up steps after the surgery and aftercare procedure steps.
Choose the right surgeon, do your due diligence, and enquire.
Plan your trip well, and give yourself time to rest after the treatment.
You will be an ideal patient for liver transplant surgery abroad if you suffer from hepatitis C, hepatitis B, primary liver cancers, and autoimmune hepatitis.
The factors that affect liver transplant surgery are the location of the hospital, the surgeon's experience, the technique used, and the type of treatment.
Country |
Estimate Cost |
UK |
€80,000 |
USA |
€160,000 |
Turkey |
€48,000 - €56,000 |
Learn more about Liver Transplant in Turkey by comparing costs and reviewing the clinics and doctors.
Liver transplantation operation is not suggested for people experiencing heart or lung illness, infections, for instance, osteomyelitis or tuberculosis, cancer, or other life-risking circumstances.
The patient should get into detailed tests before receiving a liver transplant procedure including:
● Heart tests
● Blood and urine tests
● Health assessments
Criteria of liver transplant declare that a living donor organ transplant can merely be utilized from kin up to the fourth degree – this incorporates the patient’s family members, the patient’s spouse, and the family members of the spouse. In some health facilities, volunteers can also be donors for liver transplant operations. Other criteria for liver transplant involve:
The operation is carried out under general anesthesia. About 55 to 70% of the right lobe of a living donor is detached and stitched onto the receiver prevailing liver. The liver of the donor will begin to revive immediately, achieving full capacity in about 4-6 weeks.
The transplanted liver will likewise return to 100% capacity and proportion, however, it will take extra time – in certain cases, recovery from a liver transplant takes up to a year. After the operation is finished, the receiver should pass two days in intensive care and 21 days in a transplant recovery zone.
The transplant donor will likewise need to stay about 10 days in the hospital. Usually, blood tests will be necessary after the transplant.
Liver transplantation is a somewhat dangerous operation, and complications may sometimes occur, both for the receiver and donor. Donors can encounter a risk of death with a 0.5 to 1% possibility while or after the procedure.
Complications of liver transplant can involve:
● Bleeding
● The development of blood clots
● Infection
● Donated liver failure
● Donated liver rejection
● Bile duct complications
When the patient carefully follows all the liver transplant rules, and the operation is performed at a reliable, modern center, the odds of these complications taking place are diminished.
Because special immune system depressant medications are used after liver transplantation operation, patients can experience various side effects, involving:
● Vomiting and nausea
● High blood pressure and cholesterol
● Anemia
● Arthritis
● Diabetes
● Tremors
● Diarrhea and others
The survival rate of liver transplants following five years is 78% for transplants with a living donor, while the life expectancy of liver transplants following 15 years is 58%. The success rate of a liver transplant as well relies upon the sort of disease the receiver conveys, age, and capability to pursue post-operation rules.
Liver transplantation receivers must use immunosuppressive medications whole of their lives. Smoking and alcohol are forbidden after a liver transplant operation. Steady cancer tests are necessary also, as immunosuppressive medications raise the possibility of cancer emerging.
The patient should do consistent checkups after a liver transplantation operation – initially week by week and then not as much of frequently.
How long does a liver transplant last?
In some cases, transplants have lasted up to 30 years. 58% of patients live another 15 years and 48% of patients can live up to 18 years. In recent years, the survival rates of liver transplants have improved greatly.
Does a partial liver transplant provide the same outcomes as a full transplant?
Yes, living donor liver transplants provide the same success rate as a regular full-size liver transplantation procedure.
How many patients usually experience liver transplant rejection?
Liver transplant rejection affects around 15 to 26% of receivers. Immunosuppressive medications are usually administered to all patients.