Best Liver Transplant Surgeons in Hyderabad

A liver transplant is a surgical procedure that involves the replacement of a diseased or damaged liver with a healthy liver from a deceased or living donor. It is typically considered a treatment for end-stage liver disease, cirrhosis, or certain liver cancers when other medical interventions are not effective. 

During the transplant, the recipient's damaged liver is removed, and the donor's liver is implanted. Living donor transplants involve a segment of the donor's liver being transplanted into the recipient.

Liver transplants are complex procedures with potential risks, but they offer a chance for improved quality of life and long-term survival for individuals facing severe liver conditions. Post-transplant, recipients require lifelong medications to prevent rejection and regular medical monitoring.

Liver specialists play a crucial role in providing comprehensive care, including disease management, medical interventions, and, when necessary, guiding patients through the liver transplant process. 

Common liver diseases are:

• Hepatitis: Causes liver inflammation. Can be viral or autoimmune.
• Cirrhosis: Scarring and impaired function due to chronic damage. 
• Fatty liver disease: Can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Alcoholic liver disease occurs from excessive alcohol consumption. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is often linked to obesity, and results in fat accumulation. 
• Liver tumours: These can be benign or cancerous such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Hemochromatosis: Causes iron buildup 
• Wilson's disease: Leads to copper accumulation. 
• Primary biliary cirrhosis: Damages bile ducts, 
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis: Causes inflammation and scarring. 
• Liver-related ailments due to metabolic disorders and genetic conditions.

You may consult a liver doctor:

• If you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Have persistent or severe abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side
• Have rapid or unexplained weight loss without changes in diet or exercise
• Notice changes in urine (dark colour) or stool (pale or clay-coloured)
• Have a history of excessive alcohol consumption or drug use
• There's a family history of liver diseases
• Found elevated liver enzymes or abnormal liver function tests in routine blood tests
• Diagnosed with liver conditions like hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, fatty liver etc

Hepatologists are specialized doctors who diagnose and manage liver diseases but typically do not perform surgeries. They are trained in internal medicine with further expertise in hepatology. When surgery is required for liver-related conditions, hepatologists often collaborate with hepatobiliary surgeons or transplant surgeons, who specialize in surgical interventions for liver and biliary disorders.

Hepatobiliary surgeons are skilled in procedures such as liver resections, transplant surgeries, and interventions related to the bile ducts. While hepatologists play a crucial role in providing medical care, including medications and lifestyle management for liver diseases, surgical procedures involving the liver are usually conducted by surgical specialists.