Deceased Donor Liver Transplant in Kochi

A Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT) involves replacing a patient's severely damaged or failing liver with a healthy liver donated following the death of an eligible organ donor.

Deceased donor organs form an important source of liver transplantation worldwide. Depending on donor and recipient factors, the donated liver may be transplanted as an entire organ or, in selected circumstances, divided for transplantation into more than one recipient. The Deceased Donor Liver Transplant Programme at Apollo Adlux Hospital, Kochi, provides comprehensive transplant assessment, surgery, critical care and lifelong follow-up for eligible patients.

Who May Need a Deceased Donor Liver Transplant?

DDLT may be considered for selected patients with:

• Advanced liver cirrhosis
• End-stage liver disease
• Acute liver failure
• Acute-on-chronic liver failure
• Selected hepatocellular carcinoma
• Certain congenital or metabolic liver conditions
• Other irreversible liver disorders requiring transplantation

Eligibility depends on several clinical factors and is determined through a comprehensive transplant evaluation.

Evaluation for Deceased Donor Liver Transplant

Before being considered for deceased donor liver transplantation, patients undergo detailed evaluation. This may include:

• Complete liver function assessment
• Blood investigations
• Blood group testing
• Liver imaging
• Evaluation for hepatocellular carcinoma where applicable
• Cardiovascular assessment
• Lung function assessment
• Kidney function evaluation
• Infection screening
• Nutritional evaluation
• Anaesthesia assessment
• Multidisciplinary transplant review

The objective is to assess the patient's suitability for major transplant surgery and identify medical issues that should be managed before transplantation.

Waiting for a Deceased Donor Liver

Once a patient has completed the appropriate transplant assessment and regulatory process, allocation of a deceased donor organ follows the applicable organ-allocation system. When a suitable donor organ becomes available, the transplant team assesses compatibility, organ quality and the recipient's current medical condition before proceeding with transplantation.

Deceased Donor Liver Transplant Surgery

During liver transplantation, the diseased liver is surgically removed and replaced with the donor liver. The transplant surgeon reconstructs the vascular connections that provide blood supply to the new liver and connects the biliary system. Liver transplant surgery is a complex procedure requiring close coordination between transplant surgeons, anaesthesia teams, intensivists and other specialised professionals.

Post-Transplant Monitoring

After surgery, patients are transferred to the Transplant Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring. The clinical team evaluates:

• Function of the transplanted liver
• Blood circulation
• Blood pressure and cardiovascular function
• Respiratory status
• Kidney function
• Fluid and electrolyte balance
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Signs of graft dysfunction or rejection

Once the patient's condition stabilises, care continues in the transplant ward before discharge and structured follow-up.