Liver transplantation is a medical procedure, which is mainly suggested for millions of liver patients in Nigeria. In this procedure, a hepatologist surgeon performs liver transplant surgery by replacing an infected liver with a healthy one. This surgical procedure is performed with the highest success rates in the healthcare department. If an individual wants to know about the cost of a liver transplant in Nigeria, then he or she may prefer this blog.
It is mainly recommended for end-stage liver disease or liver failure. This surgery can be performed at an affordable cost in Nigeria. Its other name is orthotopic liver transplant or hepatic transplantation.
The cost of this surgery lies between the range of 28, 426.47 Naira and 41, 337.73 Naira. It will be based on different factors like surgeon’s experience, patient’s recovery time, tools and equipment used etc. This surgery is mainly suitable in Zenith Medical and Kidney Centers and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Some people may also visit Nigeria Laboon hospitals and other medical centers for this surgery.
Types of Liver Transplant Surgery
This surgical procedure is of three types. These include the following:
- Living donor transplantation: During this surgery, a liver specialist or a transplant surgeon uses the healthy liver of a parent, friend, or any family member for a transplantation procedure. This method is generally suggested for primary liver cancer and metabolic disorders in patients.
- Deceased donor transplantation: A hepatologist performs this surgery by replacing an infected liver with a healthy liver of a dead or deceased person. It is usually recommended when a patient is suffering from an acute liver failure.
- Split donor transplantation: A transplant surgeon uses a deceased donor liver for this procedure. He or she then divides it into two parts and then inserts it into two recipient’s bodies. This approach is suggested for biliary atresia, fulminant hepatic failure, etc.
Cost of Liver Transplant in Nigeria
The cost of a liver transplant in Nigeria will be different at each location. It may vary depending on the type of procedure in the healthcare department.
The difference between a living donor and deceased donor is; a living donor liver transplant is mainly performed at an average cost of 1,51,91,088 Naira. The cost of deceased donor transplantation lies between 100 million Naira and 180 million Naira. A hepatologist or a transplant surgeon performs this surgery at an average cost of 1.5 million Naira.
What Conditions can be Treated through this Surgical Procedure?
A healthcare provider recommends this surgery for the treatment of certain health conditions in liver patients. These are as follows:
- Sudden or severe damage to the liver
- Alcohol-related liver disease
- Cirrhosis
- Chronic hepatitis
- Hemochromatosis
- Wilson’s disease
- Primary biliary cholangitis
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Biliary atresia
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Bile duct cancer
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Genetic liver disease
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Polycystic liver disease
This surgery is not recommended for hepatic angiosarcoma and focal nodular hyperplasia. A patient is suggested to consult with a relevant doctor for the treatment of these medical problems.
What are the Diagnostic Procedures that can be recommended for Liver Transplantation?
Liver transplants can be diagnosed in different methods. These are as follows:
- Physical Examination: A healthcare professional will review the patient’s medical history and then perform a physical exam to identify the potential symptoms associated with liver disease in patients. The symptoms might be jaundice, encephalopathy, ascites etc.
- Blood test: A blood test is recommended to determine the proper function of liver in patients suffering from liver disease. It is also suggested to check whether a donor’s liver is matched with a recipient’s liver or not.
- Imaging tests: The imaging tests are recommended for the evaluation of liver disease as well as identification of underlying liver conditions in patients. It can be possible through CT scan, MRI scan or ultrasound test in the healthcare department.
- Electrocardiogram: A surgeon connects the chest, arms and legs with a machine to check the electrical activity of the heart. It is a stress test, which is mainly suggested to identify some serious complications, which may occur due to end-stage liver disease or liver disorders.
- Echocardiogram: A healthcare provider conducts this test for abnormal heart rhythms and other heart disease. This diagnostic procedure can be performed through sound waves in the medical centers.
- Liver biopsy: During this diagnostic procedure, a surgeon removes a small amount of liver tissue to measure the quantity of liver disease. It is mainly suggested for liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis etc.
- Psychological tests: A transplant surgeon performs a psychological test to identify the psychiatric conditions of a patient. This can only be possible through interviews, scaling etc.
Challenges of Liver Transplantation in Nigeria
A liver patient may face several challenges for liver transplant surgery in this country. These are as follows:
- Lack of Medical Centers
- Financial problems
- Shortage of trained and experienced surgeons
- Organ donation became a complex issue for liver transplantation
- Limited resources and infrastructure
Conclusion
This blog describes the liver transplantation procedure with its cost and diagnostic procedures. It is recommended as a life-saving treatment for patients suffering from end-stage liver disease in Nigeria. This procedure has several challenges in this country but it provides better outcomes for patients. The awareness and experience become greater in this surgical procedure, which saves different patients and improves their quality of life.
