When is a liver transplant required?
The liver is a major organ, with the main function of filtering the blood that goes around the body and producing bile that breaks down foods in the small intestine. If the liver becomes so diseased or damaged that it cannot heal, known as liver failure, then it may be necessary for it to be transplanted with a replacement healthy one.
What are the main causes of liver damage?
The main causes of liver damage and cirrhosis include:
- Alcoholic-related liver disease (ARLD)
- Viral hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
What are the different types of liver transplant?
Because donor livers are difficult to come by, and because there is a long waiting list of recipients for donor livers, there is a strict assessment of who is suitable for a liver transplant.
A patient is considered a suitable recipient if there lifespan would be shorter without having the transplant, and that there is at least a 50 per cent chance of surviving for five years following transplantation.
The different ways that a liver transplant can be carried out are:
Deceased liver donation
Where the donated liver comes from a person who has recently died and that has a healthy liver.
Living donor transplantation
This form of transplantation takes a section of liver from a living donor and implanted into the existing liver. Because the liver is able to regenerate itself, with the support of the section of healthy liver, the diseased liver will regenerate. The donor’s existing section of healthy liver will also regenerate.
Split donation
Similar to a deceased liver donation, a healthy liver is removed from a recently deceased patient. The liver is then split and donated to two separate patients where it will regenerate into two complete healthy organs.
What is life like after a liver transplantation?
Following liver transplant surgery, the recipient patient should see an almost instant improvement of the symptoms they were experiencing from the diseased liver. Patients will often be able to return to their usual activities within a few months, but complete recovery may take much longer.
Transplant patients need to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of their lives to stop the body rejecting the donor liver.
Liver transplant risks
There can be some risks following liver transplant surgery, despite the outlook being good in most cases, with around eight out of ten liver transplant patients going on to live for at least five more years, and many living for more than 20 years.
The main problems with liver transplant surgery include:
- the donated liver being rejected by your body
- the donated liver not functioning at first, meaning another transplant needs to be carried out straight away
- bleeding
- an increased risk of infection
- blood flow problems to and from the liver
- an increased risk of skin cancer
07-30-2013 09-18-2023
Liver transplant
When is a liver transplant required?
The liver is a major organ, with the main function of filtering the blood that goes around the body and producing bile that breaks down foods in the small intestine. If the liver becomes so diseased or damaged that it cannot heal, known as liver failure, then it may be necessary for it to be transplanted with a replacement healthy one.
What are the main causes of liver damage?
The main causes of liver damage and cirrhosis include:
- Alcoholic-related liver disease (ARLD)
- Viral hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
What are the different types of liver transplant?
Because donor livers are difficult to come by, and because there is a long waiting list of recipients for donor livers, there is a strict assessment of who is suitable for a liver transplant.
A patient is considered a suitable recipient if there lifespan would be shorter without having the transplant, and that there is at least a 50 per cent chance of surviving for five years following transplantation.
The different ways that a liver transplant can be carried out are:
Deceased liver donation
Where the donated liver comes from a person who has recently died and that has a healthy liver.
Living donor transplantation
This form of transplantation takes a section of liver from a living donor and implanted into the existing liver. Because the liver is able to regenerate itself, with the support of the section of healthy liver, the diseased liver will regenerate. The donor’s existing section of healthy liver will also regenerate.
Split donation
Similar to a deceased liver donation, a healthy liver is removed from a recently deceased patient. The liver is then split and donated to two separate patients where it will regenerate into two complete healthy organs.
What is life like after a liver transplantation?
Following liver transplant surgery, the recipient patient should see an almost instant improvement of the symptoms they were experiencing from the diseased liver. Patients will often be able to return to their usual activities within a few months, but complete recovery may take much longer.
Transplant patients need to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of their lives to stop the body rejecting the donor liver.
Liver transplant risks
There can be some risks following liver transplant surgery, despite the outlook being good in most cases, with around eight out of ten liver transplant patients going on to live for at least five more years, and many living for more than 20 years.
The main problems with liver transplant surgery include:
- the donated liver being rejected by your body
- the donated liver not functioning at first, meaning another transplant needs to be carried out straight away
- bleeding
- an increased risk of infection
- blood flow problems to and from the liver
- an increased risk of skin cancer


Liver transplant: donors, surgery and success rate
By Professor Massimo Malago
2025-02-11
We learn more about how to find a liver donor, the surgical procedure and just how successful the operation can be in this informative article. See more


Will my liver transplant be successful?
By Dr Deepak Joshi
2025-02-11
Every year, there are around 800 liver transplants in the UK. If you’re a patient on a waiting list, it’s natural to worry how long you’ll have to wait, and whether the operation will be successful. We spoke to leading consultant hepatologist Dr Deepak Joshi about the procedure and what patients can expect from it. See more


Can you live a long life with liver disease, and how do hepatologists help?
By Dr Jeremy Cobbold
2025-02-11
Liver disease is a broad term that encompasses a range of conditions affecting the liver, from fatty liver disease and hepatitis to cirrhosis and liver cancer. While liver disease can have serious implications, many individuals can live long and fulfilling lives with proper management and care. Hepatologists—specialists in liver health—play a crucial role in diagnosing, treating, and managing these conditions to optimise outcomes and improve quality of life. See more


Liver transplants: 50 years of progress
By Professor Roger Williams CBE
2025-02-08
Since the first procedure was carried out just over 50 years ago, the UK has emerged as a world leader in liver transplants. In this article, early pioneer of liver transplants in the UK and towering figure in hepatology Professor Roger Williams CBE reflects on the progress over the last 50 years, and what’s in store for the future. See more
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