Liver Transplant

What is a Liver Transplant?

A liver transplant is a surgery to replace a damaged or failing liver with a healthy liver, or part of a healthy liver, from a donor.

This procedure is considered when the liver can no longer carry out its essential functions that are needed to keep the body alive.
It is mainly considered for people with advanced or end-stage liver disease, including those with liver failure, where the liver has reached a point where medical treatment alone is no longer enough.

What is Liver Failure?

Liver failure occurs when severe liver damage prevents the liver from doing its normal job.

The liver is responsible for:

• Clearing toxins from the blood
• Producing important proteins, including those needed for blood clotting
• Supporting digestion and nutrient processing
• Maintaining immune and metabolic balance

When the liver fails, these vital functions break down, causing harmful substances to build up in the body and leading to serious health complications.

Signs And Complications Of Liver Failure

People with liver failure may develop a range of symptoms and complications, which can worsen as the condition progresses.
These may include:

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Swelling of the abdomen due to fluid build-up (ascites)
• Confusion, drowsiness, or changes in behaviour (encephalopathy)
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Severe tiredness, weakness, or reduced energy

Not everyone experiences all symptoms, and severity can vary from person to person.

Why The Liver Matters And Why Transplant May Be Needed

The liver plays a central role in keeping the body healthy. Because it supports so many vital processes, severe liver damage affects the entire body, not just one organ.

In the early stages of liver disease, medications and lifestyle changes may help manage symptoms.

However, when liver damage becomes severe and the liver can no longer recover or function adequately, a liver transplant may be considered.

For suitable patients, a liver transplant may result in:

• Improved survival prospects
• Better quality of life and daily functioning
• Restoration of liver function

Suitability and outcomes vary depending on the condition and timing. The transplant team will advise based on detailed clinical assessment.

Types of Liver Transplant

Deceased Donor (Cadaveric) Liver Transplant

This type of transplant uses a liver donated by someone who has passed away and consented to organ donation.

In practice, family awareness and consent processes are often an important part of the donation journey.

Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)

A Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT) uses a portion of liver donated by a healthy living person.

The liver is a regenerative organ. Under appropriate conditions, it will regrow over time in both the donor and the recipient.

Benefits Of Choosing A Living Donor Liver Transplant

For suitable patients, LDLT offers several potential advantages:

• The transplant can be planned in advance, reducing uncertainty
• Surgery can be scheduled based on medical readiness
• Earlier intervention may be possible for eligible patients
• Clearer coordination of assessments and preparation for both donor and recipient

Who Should Consider Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)?

LDLT may be considered for patients with:

• Advanced chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) with complications
• Selected cases of acute liver failure
• Selected liver tumours where transplant is appropriate

This includes conditions such as:

• End-stage liver disease
• Liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
• Decompensated liver cirrhosis
• Hereditary liver diseases such as Wilson's Disease
• Biliary atresia (commonly in children)

Associated complications may include jaundice, ascites, encephalopathy, enlarged oesophageal veins, or bleeding.

Who is Eligible for a Liver Transplant?

Eligibility is determined through a specialist-led assessment, which considers:

• Diagnosis and severity of liver disease
• Overall fitness for major surgery
• Infection status
• Nutritional and physical reserve
• Psychosocial readiness, including ability to follow medical advice and attend follow-up

If a tumour is present, additional staging and eligibility criteria apply.

Who Can Be A Living Liver Donor?

A living liver donor is typically:

• An adult in good physical and mental health
• Medically compatible with the recipient (such as blood group and size)
• Free from major uncontrolled medical conditions

All donors undergo detailed medical and psychosocial evaluation to ensure donation is safe and voluntary.

A donor may be:

• A close blood relative, such as a parent or sibling
• A non-related donor, subject to approval by relevant authorities
  
  

Be An Organ Donor. Save Lives.

For someone waiting for a transplant, organ donation can mean more time, more moments, and a second chance at life. One decision can bring hope to patients and families facing organ failure.

In Malaysia, you can take a simple step by pledging your intent to be an organ donor. By making an organ donor pledge and sharing your decision with your loved ones, you can help support patients in need and strengthen a culture of care and generosity.