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Liver Transplant

Liver transplant - Process & Indications | SingHealth

Liver Transplant - What is it for

When does a patient require a liver transplant?

Liver transplant is a treatment for patients diagnosed with Liver Cancer, acute liver failure or end-stage liver disease caused by conditions such as Viral Hepatitis, Cirrhosis or liver damage from alcohol or drug abuse.

Some Indications for liver transplant are:

  • Acute liver failure       
  • Chronic cholestatic liver diseases
  • Liver malignancy         
  • Metabolic liver diseases biliary atresia
  • Chronic non-cholestatic liver disease
  • Others
The SGH Liver Transplant team is dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centred care to support individuals through every stage of their liver transplant journey, from initial evaluation to long-term post-transplant management.

Liver Transplant - Symptoms

liver transplant conditions & treatments

Unless the liver damage is fairly severe or advanced, diseases of the liver are often "silent", and patients may be unaware of any issues. Different liver diseases may affect some functions more than others, resulting in variability between patients.

Some symptoms include:

  • Yellow discoloration of skin and urine (Jaundice)          
  • Fluid buildup in the abdomen, legs and lungs
  • Easy bruising and bleeding, initially from the gums      
  • Increasing sensitivity with alcohol and drugs
  • Massive bleeding from the gut             
  • Serious infections
  • Drowsiness, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, confusion and coma

Liver Transplant - How to prevent?

Liver Transplant - Causes and Risk Factors

Liver Transplant - Diagnosis

Liver Transplant - Treatments

Types of Transplant


If your liver disease is progressive and liver transplantation may be the appropriate treatment, you will be referred to the liver transplant co-ordinator. Arrangements will be made for you to meet the liver specialist for an assessment. A variety of tests will be carried out to confirm the diagnosis, assess the extent of your disease and gauge your suitability for liver transplantation. The assessment period may take up to 5-7 days in hospital. 

There are 2 types of liver transplant available in Singapore, namely: Deceased Donor Liver Transplant and Living Donor Liver Transplant. 

1. Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT)

This involves replacing the recipient’s diseased liver with a whole liver from a deceased donor. A deceased donor is defined as a patient who is certified brain dead, however bodily function is maintained with medications and life support machines. This is beneficial to patients with decompensated liver disease like liver failure and liver cancer. With this transplant, it will help to prolong lifespan, improve quality of life and you will get to spend more time with your loved ones. However, deceased donors do not come by often and it happens rather spontaneously. The waiting time is therefore uncertain. 

2. Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)

This involves replacing the recipient’s diseased liver with part of a healthy liver from a healthy living donor. This donor may be your immediate family or close friends. (benefits of surgery are the same as DDLT). Unlike DDLT, LDLT can be planned. It takes about 3 – 6 months from the start of counselling to the date of planned surgery. 

We would require another counselling session to go in detail regarding living donor living transplant. If any of your family members/ friends are keen to be a living donor, they could contact us anytime. 

Please know that LDLT does not affect your standing on the DDLT list. 

Waiting List

To select for patients to receive a deceased donor liver, we use a highly confidential list called the National Waiting List. This list is made up of patients grouped according to blood groups. 

Transplant Work Up 

Before we can put you on the DDLT national waiting list, we will need to determine if you are suitable to undergo a major surgery like liver transplant. Hence, you will be admitted for 5 – 7 days to undergo an extensive liver transplant work up.
 

What to expect while on the waiting list 

When you are officially listed on the DDLT national waiting list, it would mean that we may call you in at any point in time if there is a suitable donor for you. Your phone must be switched on 24/7, and you will need to update us if there are any changes to your contact details or any new phone numbers to be added. You will also have to update us if you are travelling. Waiting time for DDLT is unpredictable and may vary depending on your liver condition.  

In order to remain eligible on the waiting list, you will be asked to return regularly for blood tests, scans and appointments with our liver transplant specialist. Hence, you will have to come for your scheduled tests and appointments as arranged. We take patients’ compliance to appointments, tests and medications very seriously. 

Transplant Activation

When you are activated for liver transplant, you will have to make your way to SGH within the stipulated time given (1 to 1.5 hours) as DDLT is an emergency operation. You will be asked not to eat or drink anything from the time you receive our call. Blood tests, Xrays, ECG and COVID swab will be performed when you are admitted. You are only required to bring along your NRIC as well as a family member to assist with the administrative works for your admission. 

Please be expected to wait anytime between 6 to 12 hours from the time you are admitted till the commencement of your surgery as our team of specialists have to assess the condition of the donor’s liver. 

Liver Transplant - Preparing for surgery

Liver Transplant - Post-surgery care

​Average length of stay is about 2 – 4 weeks depending on your recovery. SGH Liver Transplant team will work with you closely to help you towards your recovery, and you will be on lifetime follow up with us.
  • Updated on 2018-05-03T16:00:00Z

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