Not every patient who needs a liver transplant receives the approval to undergo the treatment. With the number of liver donors being far less than required, it is virtually impossible to provide transplants to every candidate. Moreover, not all donor offers are accepted. Complications might arise if they fail to meet specific health standards. The approval for
liver transplants in India is based on specific eligibility criteria. Here are nine reasons why a liver transplant candidate may not receive a transplant:
● The severity of the disease: As the number of potential liver transplant candidates by far exceeds the number of living donors, the selection takes place on a priority basis. This means that the higher the liver failure's severity, the greater the chances of approval. Typically, individuals experiencing end-stage liver failure receive priority compared to those at a prior stage of the disease.
● The health of the patient: Liver transplantation is a complex surgery that might affect the candidate adversely if he/she is not healthy enough. Thus, the candidate needs to be physically fit to withstand the surgery and survive without significant side effects.
● Presence of life-threatening diseases: The very purpose of liver transplant is to save the patients from death, especially when those suffering from end-stage liver failure receive priority. Hence, the presence of a life-threatening disease such as an incurable type of cancer, irreversible brain damage, etc., may render a candidate ineligible for a liver transplant as the candidate is unlikely to survive even after the transplant.
● Unwillingness to follow a medical regime: The candidates who receive the transplant must stick to a strict medical routine for a long time after the surgery. These include various medications, scans, blood tests, and repeated visits to the doctors. If a candidate is unwilling to follow such a routine or has a history of non-compliance, it might lead to rejection.
● Psychiatric disorders: Candidates with severe psychiatric disorders might often turn out to be ineligible for the transplant. Certain psychiatric disorders might increase in severity after such a complex procedure, leading to various complications.
● Alcohol or drug abuse: If the patients carry a history of chronic drug or alcohol abuse and cannot be treated for it before the transplantation, they are likely to be rejected. If a candidate continues with the harmful habits after the transplantation, he/she would be putting himself/herself at risk.
● Lack of adequate support: The candidates' families must understand and accept the various responsibilities of long-term care, including the financial ones. A candidate without adequate support face higher chances of rejection as a lack of respect would create complications.
● Active health issues: Certain active infections and illnesses can render a candidate ineligible for the transplant. For instance, blood clots or obesity may complicate the process.
● Lack of insurance: Candidates who do not possess adequate insurance cover may not be eligible for a liver transplant.
Max Centre for Liver Transplant and Biliary Sciences is one of India's most trusted hospitals for liver transplants. If a candidate meets all the eligibility criteria, it is possible to avoid complications by getting the transplantation done by reliable surgeons at the reputed hospital.