The liver is the body's largest internal organ, weighing about 3 pounds in adults. It is located below the diaphragm on the right side of the abdomen.

The liver performs many complex functions in the body, including:

• Produces most proteins needed by the body.
• Metabolizes, or breaks down, nutrients from food to produce energy, when needed.
• Prevents shortages of nutrients by storing certain vitamins, minerals and sugar.
• Produces bile, a compound needed to digest fat and to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K.
• Produces most of the substances that regulate blood clotting.
• Helps your body fight infection by removing bacteria from the blood.
• Removes potentially toxic byproducts of certain medications.

When Is a Liver Transplant Needed?
Liver transplantation is considered when the liver no longer functions adequately (liver failure). Liver failure can occur suddenly (acute liver failure) as a result of infection or complications from certain medications or it can be the end result of a long-term problem. The following conditions may result in liver failure:

• Chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis.
• Primary biliary cirrhosis (a rare condition where the immune system inappropriately attacks and destroys the bile ducts causing liver failure).
• Sclerosing cholangitis (scarring and narrowing of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver causing the backup of bile in the liver which can lead to liver failure).
• Biliary atresia (malformation of the bile ducts).
• Alcoholism.
• Wilson's disease (a rare inherited disease with abnormal deposition of copper throughout the body, including the liver, causing it to fail).
• Hemochromatosis (a common inherited disease where the body is overwhelmed with iron).
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (an abnormal accumulation of alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in the liver, resulting in cirrhosis).
• Liver cancer.

Am I a Good Candidate for Liver Transplant?
Evaluations by specialists from a variety of fields are needed to determine if a liver transplant is appropriate. The evaluation includes a review of your medical history and a variety of tests. Many healthcare facilities offer an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate and to select candidates for liver transplantation.
Doctors will see all of your previous doctor records, X-rays, liver biopsy slides and a record of medications to your pre-evaluation for a liver transplant. To complement and to update previous tests, some or all of the following diagnostic studies are generally performed during your evaluation.
If specific problems are identified, additional tests may be ordered.

Short waiting period
A renal failure patient can be transplanted within two to three weeks of walking into the hospital if the accompanied donor is approved by the government appointed authorization committee

(Authorization Committee: It is a committee of several members appointed by the government for crutinizing all the living donors and recipients to give the approval for surgery. No organ transplant can be performed without prior approval of the authorization committee. The objective of the committee is to ensure that living donor transplants are performed as per Transplantation of Human Organs Act and Rules 1994 and subsequent amendments made there under.)

Where Does a Liver for a Transplant Come From?
Many people decide to become organ donors when they die. But people can also donate certain organs (such as a kidney or portion of a liver) while they are still living. These people are called "living donors." You do not have to be related to the donor to receive an organ. Close blood relatives may be a better match, but this is not always the case.
Hospitals will evaluate all potential liver transplant donors for evidence of liver disease, alcohol or drug abuse, cancer, or infection. Donors will also be tested for hepatitis, AIDS, and other infections. If this screening does not reveal problems with the liver, donors and recipients are matched according to blood type and body size. Age, race, and sex are not considered.
The transplant team will discuss your transplantation options with you at the time of your pre-transplant evaluation.

What Happens When They Find Liver Transplant Match?
When a liver has been identified, you will be called to the hospital. The transplant coordinator will notify you of any additional instructions. When you arrive at the hospital, additional blood tests, an electrocardiogram, and a chest X-ray will generally be taken before the operation.

How do I prepare for an organ transplant?
Transplantation can be a long and challenging process. The thought of having an organ transplant may be frightening or overwhelming, but a transplant can greatly improve your quality of life.
First, you'll need to have blood and tissue tests done that will be used to match you with a donor. The more matches you have with the donor, the more likely your body will accept the donor organ.

What Happens During the Liver Transplant Operation?
Liver transplants usually take from six hours to 12 hours. This is a major surgery and is carried out by a team of specialized surgeons

When Will I Be Able to Go Home After a Liver Transplant?
The average hospital stay after liver transplant is 10 days or more.. Some patients may be discharged in less time, while others may be in the hospital much longer, depending on complications that may arise. You need to be prepared for both possibilities.

What Follow-Up Is Necessary After a Liver Transplant?
You would be meeting your doctor after a week to check for the progress. If all is well then you might have couple of more visits and all patients are scheduled to return to the hospital at their one-year transplant anniversary date and annually thereafter.

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