Liver transplantation is performed on a large scale for elderly patients across the globe because it is a life-saving procedure. In addition to being the body’s second biggest organ, it serves several critical tasks that ensure well-being. We won’t last more than a week if the liver is harmed. There is clear evidence of this in every liver condition. A wide variety of potentially fatal outcomes are associated with chronic liver diseases brought on by excessive alcohol use, infection, or acute liver failure due to drug abuse. Patients with end-stage liver disease have one real course of treatment, and that’s a liver transplant.
Because it requires highly experienced specialists, sophisticated apparatus, medications, and other medical facilities, the cost of a liver transplant in India varies depending on several criteria. Liver transplantation is the second most prevalent organ transplantation after kidney transplantation. Approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people in India with liver disease need a liver transplant, and the elderly make up a disproportionate share of the population with liver disease. With the advent of liver transplantation, the life expectancy of the elderly suffering from liver diseases has grown and the mortality rates of these patients have dropped.
Checkups for the Elderly
Transplanting a healthy liver may save a patient’s life but it is a significant surgery with a long recovery time and complex aftercare requirements. As important as it is for surgeons to assess a patient after surgery, various preoperative tests are also necessary. In the context of older individuals, this aspect takes center stage. Too many pre-existing illnesses are common in older people, which might complicate the liver transplant process.
Several factors may affect the success rate of a liver transplant, including cardiac disorders.
If patients with liver problems are to avoid potentially fatal outcomes, they must undergo a cardiac evaluation. Between 5 and 27% of people who require a liver transplant have some kind of heart problem. Liver transplantation may improve and preserve the lives of many people with chronic liver illnesses. However, the risk factors associated with the procedure are high.
Cancer is the main reason why liver transplant procedures can fail. It is the unchecked multiplication of cells, regardless of the cause. Thus, it is crucial to do cancer screenings before performing a liver transplant.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are common complications of liver transplantation. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are common in patients with cholestatic liver disease, with estimates ranging from 10-60%. Regardless of their cause, bone deformities are a severe health risk, especially for those with liver diseases. There must be a thorough examination to identify underlying skeletal pathology before any liver transplant operation.
Survival Rate and Other Outcomes of Liver Transplantation in the Elderly
Despite the inherent dangers, liver transplantation has saved many lives. There are three different methods, depending on the kind of donor being used. They are transplanting liver tissue from a deceased donor. The second option is a liver transplant from a living donor, in which the patient is given a healthy liver from a healthy donor. A donor may be anybody who meets the patient’s needs, including a willing stranger, a member of the donor’s family, a close friend, or a cousin.
Over the last two decades, the survival rate has increased significantly due to cutting-edge technologies, experience, and knowledge gained over the years. Many elderly patients live a healthy and long life because of the efforts of skilled surgeons working in the best liver transplant hospital. One of the most promising treatments for severe liver disorders is a transplant. Therefore, preoperative screening is critical for ruling out and mitigating the risk of problems that may occur in the future.
Though the cost of a liver transplant in India may go into the tens of thousands of rupees, it is well-documented that such an operation improves the quality of life for those with terminal liver diseases. In recent years, there has been an uptick in the number of individuals aged 60 and above undergoing liver transplants. They may add an average of 5 years to the life of an older patient. A healthy liver may be maintained for a long time with proper care and attention.
Conclusion
The liver is responsible for hundreds of daily processes, such as fat digestion, mineral and vitamin transport throughout the body, chemical detoxification, etc. The problem arises, though, if liver function suddenly declines. Common causes of this condition include acute liver failure and persistent liver disease. Anyone, from a newborn to an old person, is at risk of liver failure. When all other options have been exhausted, liver transplantation at the best liver transplant hospital is the only option for treating a terminal liver condition. Transplanting a patient’s liver improves their chances of survival and quality of life dramatically.
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