Liver Transplant FAQ

1. When is liver transplant required?

Liver transplant is required when liver failure is irreversible and survival benefit with transplant exceeds survival without it.
Common triggers include:

• Decompensated cirrhosis

• MELD-Na >15

• Recurrent ascites

• Variceal bleeding

• Hepatocellular carcinoma within criteria

2. What is the MELD score for liver transplant?

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD-Na) score predicts 3-month mortality in cirrhosis.
A score above 15 generally indicates survival benefit from transplant evaluation.

3. Can liver cancer patients undergo transplant?

Yes — if tumor burden fits transplant criteria or can be downstaged successfully.
Careful staging and multidisciplinary evaluation are essential.

4. Is living donor liver transplant safe?

When performed at experienced centers with strict evaluation protocols, donor safety outcomes are high.
Donor evaluation includes volumetry, vascular mapping, and fitness assessment.

5. What is survival after liver transplant?

One-year survival in experienced programs exceeds 85–90%.
Long-term survival depends on:

• Immunosuppression management

• Infection control

• Metabolic risk control

• Regular follow-up

6. How long is recovery after liver transplant?

• ICU stay: 2–5 days (average)

• Hospital stay: 2–3 weeks

• Functional recovery: 2–4 months
  Varies by pre-transplant condition.

7. Can cirrhosis be reversed without transplant?

Early-stage cirrhosis can stabilize.
Advanced decompensated cirrhosis usually cannot reverse and may require transplant.

8. What are red flags that require urgent transplant evaluation?

• Repeated fluid tapping

• Confusion episodes (encephalopathy)

• Vomiting blood

• Rising bilirubin

• Kidney dysfunction

• ACLF episode

9. How do I know if I am too old for transplant?

Chronological age alone is not exclusion.
Biological fitness and comorbidity burden determine eligibility.

10. What is long-term life like after transplant?

With disciplined follow-up:

• Normal lifestyle possible

• Return to work feasible

• Long-term graft survival achievable

Compliance determines longevity.