Who Needs a Liver Transplant?
A liver transplant is recommended when the liver can no longer perform its essential functions adequately and no other treatment can restore liver health. The most common reasons patients require a liver transplant include:
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Chronic Liver Disease Leading to Cirrhosis
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD/MASLD) progressing to cirrhosis — now the fastest-growing indication for transplant in India
- Alcoholic liver cirrhosis — patients must demonstrate at least 6 months of proven abstinence before being listed
- Chronic Hepatitis B or C cirrhosis
- Autoimmune hepatitis with liver failure
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- Genetic disorders including Wilson's disease, haemochromatosis, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
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Acute Liver Failure
Sudden, rapid loss of liver function in a patient with no prior liver disease. This can be caused by drug toxicity (paracetamol overdose), acute viral hepatitis, or other acute toxic insults. Acute liver failure is a medical emergency — liver transplantation within days may be life-saving.
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Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
Liver transplantation is indicated for liver cancer that falls within defined criteria (Milan Criteria or UCSF Criteria) — where the tumour has not spread beyond the liver. Transplant both removes the cancer and treats the underlying cirrhosis that caused it, offering the best long-term outcome.
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Metabolic Liver Diseases in Children
Paediatric patients with conditions such as biliary atresia, Alagille syndrome, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, and various metabolic storage disorders may require liver transplantation when the liver fails to develop or function normally.
MELD Score: Your doctor will calculate a MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score to quantify how urgently you need a transplant. A MELD score of 15 or above generally indicates that the benefits of transplantation outweigh the risks of the procedure.
Types of Liver Transplants We Perform
Dr. Ashish George and the team at liversurgeons.com offer the full spectrum of liver transplant procedures — ensuring every patient receives the most appropriate surgical approach for their individual condition.
| Transplant Type |
Donor Source |
Wait Time |
Best Suited For |
| Living Donor Liver Transplant |
Healthy living relative or volunteer |
2–6 weeks (planned) |
Patients with deteriorating condition needing timely surgery |
| Deceased Donor Transplant |
Brain-dead donor (cadaveric) |
Weeks to months |
Patients who are stable enough to wait on the NOTTO list |
| Split Liver Transplant |
One cadaveric liver split between two recipients |
Depends on availability |
Often an adult and a child simultaneously |
| Dual Lobe Transplant |
Two separate living donors |
2–6 weeks |
Patients who need more liver volume than one donor can provide |
| Combined Liver-Kidney |
Living or deceased donor |
Varies |
Patients with simultaneous liver and kidney failure |
| Paediatric Liver Transplant |
Living or deceased donor |
2–8 weeks |
Children with metabolic liver disease or liver failure |
Our team will guide you through which transplant type is most suitable for your specific case, taking into account your MELD score, urgency, the availability of a suitable living donor, and your overall health condition.
Liver Transplant Cost in India — What to Expect
One of the most common questions patients and families ask is: "How much does a liver transplant cost in India?"
The honest answer is that cost varies significantly depending on the type of transplant, the complexity of the case, the length of hospital stay, and post-transplant medications required.
At liversurgeons.com, we are committed to complete pricing transparency. Below is a realistic breakdown of the typical costs involved:
| Cost Component |
Approximate Range (INR) |
| Pre-transplant evaluation (blood tests, imaging, biopsy) |
₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| Surgery (recipient + donor if applicable) |
₹12,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 |
| ICU & hospitalisation (10–21 days typically) |
₹3,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 |
| Immunosuppressive medications (first year) |
₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 |
| Post-transplant follow-up & monitoring (year 1) |
₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
| Total Estimated Range |
₹18,00,000 – ₹35,00,000 |
Note: These are approximate ranges based on typical cases at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. Complex cases, prolonged ICU stays, or additional procedures may affect the final cost. We discuss all financial aspects openly during the pre-transplant consultation — there are no hidden charges.
Insurance & Financial Assistance
- Many health insurance policies now cover liver transplantation — check with your insurer regarding coverage limits and pre-authorisation requirements.
- Government schemes including Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) may cover liver transplant costs for eligible patients.
- Our team will help you navigate insurance paperwork and financial planning before surgery.
- We also discuss cost-optimisation strategies without compromising on the quality of care.
Why India for Liver Transplant?
India — and Delhi in particular — has emerged as one of the world's leading destinations for liver transplantation. The combination of world-class surgical expertise, internationally trained specialists, state-of-the-art facilities, and costs that are a fraction of those in Western countries makes India an excellent choice for both domestic and international patients.
- Liver transplant cost in the UK or USA: ₹1.5 – ₹2.5 crore (GBP 150,000 – USD 300,000)
- Liver transplant cost in India at liversurgeons.com: ₹18 – ₹35 lakhs — up to 10 times more affordable
Liver Transplant Outcomes & Success Rates
Outcomes after liver transplantation have improved dramatically over the past two decades, driven by advances in surgical technique, immunosuppression, and post-transplant care. At liversurgeons.com, we are proud to consistently achieve outcomes that match or exceed international benchmarks.
Our Outcomes
- 92–95% overall 1-year graft survival rate
- 75%+ 5-year patient survival rate
- 90%+ success rate in hepatic encephalopathy management post-transplant
- 60+ liver transplants performed annually
- 100% in-house donor surgical team
Life After Transplant
- Most patients return to normal daily activities within 3–6 months
- Return to work typically within 3–6 months post-transplant
- Long-term quality of life comparable to the general population
- Lifelong immunosuppression required — managed by our specialist team
- Regular follow-up for ongoing liver health and cancer screening
Why Patients Choose Liversurgeons.com for Liver Transplant in Delhi
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1,000+ Successful Transplants
One of India's most experienced liver transplant teams — across all transplant types including paediatric and ABO-incompatible.
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92–95% Overall Success Rate
Among the highest transplant success rates in India, matching international benchmarks.
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Full In-House Programme
Evaluation, surgery, ICU, post-transplant surveillance — all under one roof at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.
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Dedicated Liver ICU
24/7 post-transplant intensive care with specialist hepatology nursing and rapid response protocols.
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All Transplant Types Performed
Living donor, deceased donor, paediatric, dual lobe, split liver, combined liver-kidney — full programme available.
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Treating Patients Globally
Patients from across India, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East choose our team for complex transplants.
