Best Liver Transplant Hospital in Mumbai, India

Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital provides comprehensive liver transplant care through its Institute of Liver, Intestine & Pancreas Sciences. As a leading liver transplant hospital in Mumbai, the programme covers living donor and deceased donor liver transplantation, paediatric liver transplantation, acute liver failure management, and post-transplant care. A multidisciplinary team of transplant surgeons, hepatologists, anaesthesiologists, intensivists, radiologists, nutritionists, transplant coordinators and specialised nurses supports patients throughout the transplant journey.

Why Choose Nanavati Max for Liver Transplant in Mumbai

Multidisciplinary Liver Transplant Care

The transplant programme brings together transplant surgeons, hepatologists, paediatric hepatologists, gastroenterologists, anaesthesiologists, intensivists, radiologists, pathologists, nutritionists, physiotherapists and other specialised professionals.

Adult and Paediatric Transplantation

The programme provides liver transplantation for both adults and children, including living donor, deceased donor and selected specialised transplant procedures.

Care for Acute Liver Failure

The institute provides medical management of acute liver failure and emergency liver transplantation for adults and children, with care supported by a dedicated Liver ICU.

Advanced Transplant and Surgical Options

The programme includes robotic donor hepatectomy surgery for suitable living donors, along with specialised transplant and liver surgery services.

Comprehensive Care Across the Transplant Journey

Services include pre-transplant evaluation, liver transplant surgery and post-transplant care, along with inpatient and outpatient services for patients of all age groups.

Our Liver Transplant Programme

The liver transplant programme provides comprehensive care across the transplant journey, from pre-transplant evaluation and donor assessment to surgery, intensive care and long-term follow-up.

The programme includes:

• Living donor and deceased donor liver transplantation
• Paediatric liver transplantation
• A dedicated Acute Liver Failure Unit for patients requiring urgent assessment and transplant evaluation
• Advanced immunosuppressive therapies and post-operative care
• Robotic donor hepatectomy for selected living donors
• Long-term monitoring and follow-up after transplantation
• Multidisciplinary care involving transplant surgeons, hepatologists, anaesthesiologists, intensivists and other specialists

Who Needs a Liver Transplant

A liver transplant may be considered when the liver has sustained severe, irreversible damage and other treatments can no longer adequately restore its function. It may also be required when acute liver failure causes a previously functioning liver to deteriorate rapidly.

Common conditions that may lead to liver transplantation include:

• Cirrhosis: Advanced scarring of the liver caused by conditions such as viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, autoimmune liver disease, or other chronic disorders.
• Viral hepatitis: Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C can cause progressive liver damage and cirrhosis.
• MASLD and MASH: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and its progressive form, MASH, can lead to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
• Selected liver cancers: Transplantation may be considered for appropriately selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma when the disease meets established transplant criteria.
• Acute liver failure: Severe and rapidly developing liver dysfunction that may require urgent specialist assessment and, in selected cases, transplantation.
• Inherited and metabolic liver disorders: Certain genetic or metabolic conditions can cause progressive liver damage and may require transplantation, including some disorders affecting children.

Suitability for transplantation depends on the underlying disease, liver function, overall health, cancer status, infection risk, and ability to undergo major surgery and long-term follow-up.

Acute Liver Failure: The Emergency Route

Acute liver failure is a medical emergency in which severe liver dysfunction develops over a short period in a person without established advanced liver disease. It can be associated with causes such as drug-induced liver injury, toxins, viral infections and other acute insults.

Early specialist assessment is important because patients can deteriorate rapidly, particularly when confusion or hepatic encephalopathy develops. Management may involve intensive supportive treatment, treatment of the underlying cause and urgent assessment for liver transplantation when appropriate.

Nanavati Max Hospital has a dedicated Acute Liver Failure Unit supported by transplant surgeons, hepatologists, anaesthesiologists, intensivists and other specialists. The hospital also provides emergency liver transplantation for selected patients with acute liver failure.

Rapidly developing jaundice, confusion or unusual drowsiness, vomiting blood, severe abdominal swelling or other signs of acute deterioration require urgent medical assessment.

Where the Liver Comes From

A liver transplant can involve a living donor or a deceased donor, depending on the patient's clinical situation and availability of an appropriate organ.

Living Donor Liver Transplant

In a living donor transplant, a healthy donor gives a portion of their liver to the recipient. Because the liver has the ability to regenerate, both the donor's remaining liver and the transplanted portion increase in volume after surgery.

The major advantage of living donation is that the procedure can be planned when the donor and recipient are medically ready, rather than depending entirely on the availability of a deceased donor organ.

Donor safety remains a central part of the process. Potential donors undergo detailed medical and psychological assessment before they can be considered suitable.

Nanavati Max offers robotic donor hepatectomy for selected living donors. This minimally invasive approach uses small incisions and is intended to support recovery while maintaining the surgical requirements of donor safety.

Deceased Donor Liver Transplant

A deceased donor liver comes from an individual whose death has been established according to applicable medical and legal requirements. The organ is allocated through the authorised organ donation and transplantation system.

Because deceased donor organs depend on availability and allocation, the timing of transplantation cannot be predicted in the same way as a planned living donor procedure.

Evaluation Before Transplant

A comprehensive evaluation is performed to determine whether transplantation is appropriate, assess the patient's overall fitness for surgery, and identify the most suitable transplant pathway.

Assessment may include:

• Blood tests to assess liver function, blood counts, clotting, and infection status
• Blood group testing and compatibility assessment where required
• Imaging of the liver and its blood vessels for diagnosis and surgical planning
• Assessment of the severity and complications of liver disease
• Heart and lung evaluation before major surgery
• Screening for active infection and other medical conditions
• Assessment for liver cancer and disease outside the liver where clinically indicated
• Nutritional assessment
• Psychological and social evaluation
• Detailed assessment of a potential living donor, where applicable

Previous scans, biopsy reports, liver function results, discharge summaries and current medication details should be brought to the transplant consultation. Potential donors should also bring their available medical records and blood group information.

The Transplant Operation

Liver transplantation is performed under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, the diseased liver is removed, and the donor liver is positioned in the abdomen. The major blood vessels are connected to restore blood flow, followed by reconstruction of the bile drainage system.

In a living donor transplant, the donor and recipient procedures are performed by coordinated surgical teams. The recipient's recovery begins with close monitoring in a dedicated transplant intensive care setting.

The transplanted liver is assessed closely after surgery through clinical examination, blood tests, and imaging when required. Early monitoring helps the team identify problems affecting blood flow, bile drainage, liver function, or other organ systems.

Recovery and Life After Transplant

Recovery after liver transplantation involves close medical monitoring, immunosuppressive treatment, rehabilitation and regular follow-up.

Key aspects of long-term care include:

• Immunosuppressive medication: These medicines reduce the risk of rejection and need to be taken consistently for as long as the transplanted liver requires them.
• Regular follow-up: Blood tests and clinical reviews help monitor liver function, medication levels and overall health.
• Infection prevention: Immunosuppressive treatment increases susceptibility to infections, particularly during the early recovery period.
• Management of associated health risks: Blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function, weight and cholesterol may require ongoing monitoring.
• Healthy lifestyle: Balanced nutrition, physical activity appropriate to recovery and avoidance of harmful substances support long-term health.
• Treatment of the original disease: Some underlying liver conditions can recur after transplantation, making continued disease-specific care important.

Patients should promptly seek medical advice for symptoms such as fever, jaundice, significant abdominal pain, unusual drowsiness, reduced urine output or other sudden changes in health.

Risks and Complications

Liver transplantation is major surgery and carries risks related to both the operation and long-term immunosuppression. The individual risks depend on the patient's condition, the type of transplant, and other medical factors.

Potential complications include:

Risks Around Surgery

• Bleeding and the need for blood transfusion or further intervention
• Blood clots affecting vessels supplying or draining the transplanted liver
• Bile duct leakage or narrowing
• Infection
• Complications related to anaesthesia and major surgery
• Delayed or inadequate function of the transplanted liver

Longer-Term Risks

• Rejection: The immune system may recognise the transplanted liver as foreign. Early detection and treatment can help protect graft function.
• Infection: Immunosuppressive medication reduces immune defences and can increase infection risk.
• Medication-related effects: Immunosuppressants can contribute to kidney problems, high blood pressure, raised blood sugar and other side effects.
• Certain cancers: Long-term immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of some cancers.
• Recurrence of the original disease: Certain liver diseases, including some viral and metabolic conditions, can recur after transplantation.

Living donors undergo a separate assessment because they face the risks associated with major liver surgery despite being otherwise healthy. Donor safety is considered before proceeding and remains a priority throughout the process.

Liver Transplant for Children

Children with liver disorders may be assessed by a paediatric hepatologist when their condition requires specialist care. Conditions that may lead to liver transplantation include:

• Biliary atresia: A condition affecting the bile ducts that can cause progressive liver damage.
• Cirrhosis: Advanced scarring of the liver that can impair its function.
• Hepatic encephalopathy: A complication of severe liver dysfunction that can affect brain function.
• Liver failure: When the child's liver can no longer function adequately, transplantation may be considered.

When a transplant is required, a suitable living donor may be able to donate a portion of their liver. The child's care involves assessment and ongoing follow-up by paediatric hepatology and transplant specialists.

Technology and Facilities

The liver transplant programme uses specialised infrastructure and technologies to support diagnosis, surgical planning, transplantation and post-operative care.

These include:

• 3D imaging: Helps map liver anatomy, blood vessels and bile ducts for surgical planning.
• Robotic donor hepatectomy: Available for selected living donors as a minimally invasive surgical approach.
• Dedicated transplant intensive care: Provides specialised monitoring and support after transplantation.
• Advanced immunosuppressive therapies: Used to reduce the risk of organ rejection.
• Acute Liver Failure Unit: Provides specialised management and transplant assessment for patients with acute liver failure.

Liver Transplant Cost in Mumbai

The cost of liver transplant in Mumbai varies between patients because the treatment pathway, donor type, medical condition, and hospital requirements can differ.

Factors that may influence the overall cost include:

• Whether the transplant involves a living or deceased donor
• Pre-transplant investigations and donor evaluation
• The patient's condition before transplantation
• Surgical and intensive care requirements
• Length of hospitalisation
• Use of robotic donor surgery where clinically appropriate
• Immunosuppressive medication and ongoing monitoring
• Additional procedures or treatment for complications
• Room category and other hospital services

The overall treatment plan and associated costs are discussed with the patient after clinical assessment.

Planning Your Treatment

If you have been advised that you may need a liver transplant, beginning the evaluation early can help the transplant team assess your condition and identify appropriate treatment options.

For your first consultation, bring:

• Recent liver function and other relevant blood test reports
• Liver imaging and previous scans
• Liver biopsy reports, if applicable
• Current medication details
• Previous hospitalisation and treatment records
• Relevant medical history

If a family member is considering living donation, their available medical information and blood group can also be brought for initial discussion.

A second opinion can be useful when the diagnosis, transplant eligibility or proposed treatment pathway is unclear. The transplant team can review previous reports and investigations before recommending the next step.  

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the specialists involved in liver transplant surgery?

Liver transplantation involves a multidisciplinary team that may include transplant surgeons, hepatologists, anaesthesiologists, intensivists, radiologists, nutritionists, transplant coordinators and specialised nurses. Paediatric specialists are involved when children require transplant care.

2. How long does a liver transplant procedure take?

The duration varies according to the complexity of the transplant, the patient's condition and whether it is a living or deceased donor procedure. The transplant team will explain the expected surgical course during the pre-operative assessment. 

3. What are the eligibility criteria for a liver transplant?

Eligibility depends on the severity and cause of liver disease, overall health, cancer status where applicable, infection risk, and the patient's ability to undergo surgery and continue long-term follow-up. A detailed transplant evaluation is required before a final decision is made.

4. Can a family member donate part of their liver?

A suitable living donor may be able to donate a portion of their liver. Donors undergo detailed medical and psychological assessment to ensure that donation can be performed with an acceptable level of risk. Nanavati Max also offers robotic donor hepatectomy for selected living donors.

5. Is it safe to donate part of your liver?

Living liver donation involves major surgery and therefore carries risks. Potential donors are assessed independently and can proceed only when the transplant team considers donation medically appropriate. Donor safety remains a primary consideration throughout the process.

6. What is acute liver failure and how quickly does it need treatment?

Acute liver failure involves sudden severe impairment of liver function and can progress rapidly, particularly when hepatic encephalopathy develops. It requires urgent specialist assessment. Nanavati Max has a dedicated Acute Liver Failure Unit and provides emergency liver transplantation for selected patients.

7. What medication will I need after a liver transplant?

You will need immunosuppressive medication to reduce the risk of rejection. These medicines require regular monitoring and must be taken consistently. The specific medicines and doses vary between patients and may change during long-term follow-up.

8. Can I drink alcohol after a liver transplant?

Alcohol should generally be avoided after liver transplantation. Your transplant team will provide individual guidance based on your medical history and the condition that led to transplantation.

9. Can the original liver disease come back after a transplant?

Some liver diseases can recur in the transplanted liver. The risk depends on the original condition, which is why treatment of the underlying disease and regular long-term follow-up remain important after transplantation.

10. Is liver transplantation available for children?

Yes. Nanavati Max provides paediatric liver transplantation and has dedicated paediatric hepatology specialists within its liver transplant programme.

11. Can patients from outside Mumbai seek liver transplant care?

The programme provides inpatient and outpatient services for patients across age groups. Patients travelling from outside Mumbai can undergo specialist assessment and, where appropriate, proceed through the transplant evaluation pathway at the hospital.