A liver transplant is a life-saving surgery that needs to be available everywhere. Transplant facilities are available in most developed countries, but other smaller nations have not yet added these services to their list of other services. This absence creates new challenges as well as development possibilities. Medical care in the Kingdom of Bahrain is thriving domestically. Several Bahraini medical institutions have been accredited internationally and are offering excellent care. The medical tourism industry is developing fast, and liver transplant facilities may soon be included in this boom.
Since the 1990s, Bahrain’s Ministry of Health, through its Overseas Treatment Office, has been referring pediatric and adult patients with end-stage liver failure abroad for transplantation. The urgency level in referring is subject to the patient’s clinical condition and the donor’s availability. As Bahrain lacks local transplant centers, they have arranged for their patients to be treated in other international medical centers. They refer their patients primarily to Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia for liver transplant surgery. Since Bahrain does not have facilities to conduct liver transplants, the cost of liver transplants in Bahrain is not known.
Let us learn more about liver transplants!
What is a Liver Transplant?
A liver transplant is a critical surgical operation. It involves the replacement of a failing or diseased liver with a donor liver. Liver transplant surgery is usually the final choice for individuals with end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure. Moreover, the operation gives them a chance at long-term survival and enhanced quality of life.
What are the Indications for Liver Transplantation?
Liver transplantation is reserved for patients with advanced liver failure that cannot be managed by other medical therapies. So, the common conditions that need a transplant are as follows:
- Chronic Liver Diseases: Hepatitis B or C cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
- Acute Liver Failure: Acute liver dysfunction secondary to drug-induced liver injury, viral hepatitis, or toxin overdose.
- Inherited Liver Diseases: Conditions such as Wilson’s disease or hemochromatosis that lead to toxic accumulations in the liver.
- Liver Tumors: Some liver cancers, for instance, hepatocellular carcinoma, may require transplantation if other therapies are unsuccessful.
How is Evaluation and Listing Performed for Liver Transplant?
Before a person is placed on a transplant list, he/she must undergo a thorough evaluation. This is done to assess their overall health, the severity of liver disease, and their suitability for surgery. The evaluation process includes:
- Medical assessments such as blood tests, imaging studies, and liver biopsies.
- Psychosocial evaluation like mental health and social support system assessment.
- Nutritional assessment to ensure proper nutrition for optimal recovery.
Patients who are found to qualify are put on a transplant waiting list, with organ allocation determined by the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. This is what establishes the level of urgency for transplantation.
Who are the Various Types of Donors?
There are primarily 2 types of donors for liver transplantation:
- Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT): In LDLT, a section of the liver is donated by a living individual, usually a family member or close friend. The liver can regenerate, enabling both the donor and recipient’s livers to recover function.
- Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT): DDLT involves the use of livers procured from people who have experienced brain death. Hence, this is the most prevalent source of transplant organs.
Liver Transplant Procedure
The transplant procedure includes:
- First, the patient’s liver is removed while maintaining vital blood vessels and bile ducts.
- Next, the donor’s liver is inserted into the recipient’s body. So, vascular and biliary connections are made.
The surgery takes about 6 to 12 hours, depending on the complexity and any unexpected complications.
What is Included in Post-Transplant Care?
After surgery, the patients need to be under intensive observation in the intensive care unit (ICU) so that the new liver can work efficiently. Long-term management consists of:
- Immunosuppressive Therapy: Medicines to avoid organ rejection.
- Regular Monitoring: Periodic follow-ups to monitor rejection or complications.
- Lifestyle Changes: A balanced diet, exercise regularly, and not drinking alcohol and bad substances.
What are the Risks and Complications of Liver Transplant?
Even though liver transplant surgery is a life-saving intervention, it has risks associated with it, as with any other surgical intervention. These may involve the following:
- Surgical complications such as bleeding, infection, and risks related to anesthesia.
- The immune system can attack the new liver (organ rejection).
- Immunosuppressant drugs heighten the risk of infection.
- Liver diseases like hepatitis can recur in the transplanted liver.
What is the Cost of Liver Transplantation in Bahrain?
As Bahrain does not have facilities to conduct liver transplants, the liver transplant cost in Bahrain is not known. However, Bahraini patients who want to undergo liver transplant surgery outside the country usually go to India, Turkey, and Thailand. These countries provide quality care at reasonable prices.
The cost of a liver transplant in India for Bahrain patients, as well as in Turkey and Thailand, is mentioned below:
| Country | Cost of Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT) | Cost of Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT) |
| India | USD 30,000 – USD 35,500 | USD 25,000 – USD 30,000 |
| Thailand | USD 45,000 – USD 58,000 | USD 50,000 – USD 75,000 |
| Turkey | USD 45,000 – USD 70,000 | USD 50,000 – USD 65,000 |
These charges will vary and depend on various factors such as the nature of the transplant, the reputation of the hospital, and patient-related medical requirements.
If you wish to obtain personalized cost quotes for liver transplant surgery, please contact EdhaCare.
In Conclusion
A liver transplant is a life-and-death procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease. It requires specialized surgical expertise and extended postoperative care. As Bahrain lacks local liver transplant facilities, most patients opt for low-cost liver transplant facilities in India, Turkey, and Thailand. Government support and medical tourism promotion can facilitate Bahrain residents’ access to the best liver transplant centers overseas, ensuring they get quality treatment while keeping costs under control.