Liver transplant

Liver transplant in Iran: cost & procedure

Liver transplantation is one of the most advanced treatments in modern medicine, performed in cases of severe liver failure or chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver cancer. During this surgery, the patient’s diseased liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. Liver transplantation can save lives and significantly improve the quality of life. Iran is a reputable destination for liver transplantation, offering highly skilled surgical teams, specialized medical centers, and cost-effective treatment for international patients.
Primary features
  • Nutritional counseling
  • T-VISA
  • Airport transfer
  • Transportation
  • Interprater
  • pre surgry medical test
Package prices starts from

$50,000

Surgery Time
Surgery Time
15-17 HRS
Back to work
Back to work
2 MOUNTHS
Anesthetist
Anesthetist
GENERAL
Hospitalization Time
Hospitalization Time
10 DAYS
Recovery Time
Recovery Time
3 MOUNTH
Stay Time
Stay Time
19 DAYS

During a liver transplant surgery, several key steps are followed:

  1. Preparation: The patient is put under general anesthesia. The surgical team prepares the operating room and ensures all required equipment and supplies are ready.
  2. Incision: The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen to access the liver. The specific type of incision may differ based on the patient’s condition and the surgeon’s preference.
  3. Removal of the Diseased Liver: The surgeon carefully removes the diseased liver from the surrounding blood vessels and bile ducts. This process may include clamping blood vessels to reduce bleeding.
  4. Transplantation of the Donor Liver: Once the diseased liver is detached, the donor liver is put into the abdominal cavity. The surgeon connects the new liver to the blood vessels and bile ducts, ensuring seamless blood flow and bile drainage.
  5. Monitoring and Closure: After the new liver is in place, the surgical team checks the function of the liver and examines any complications. Once everything is verified to be functioning properly, the incision is closed with sutures or staples.
  6. Postoperative Care: After surgery, the patient is transferred to a recovery area for monitoring. They will receive care to manage pain, hinder infection, and oversee liver function.

Liver transplant in Iran

Liver transplantation in Iran has developed considerably over the years, with the country becoming a reputable center for organ transplants in the region. The Iranian government has implemented a regulated system for organ donation, which involves both living and deceased donor transplants.

Iran is unique in that it lets living donors donate a portion of their liver, and there is a legal framework in place to recompense living donors, which helps to encourage organ donation. The country has set up several specialized transplant centers equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and skilled healthcare professionals.

The success rates for liver transplants in Iran are comparable to international standards, and the country has advanced considerably in enhancing patient care and post-operative support.

starts From

$50,000

Bronze package

Liver transplant

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Nutritional counseling
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Treatment questions
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T-VISA
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Airport transfer
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Transportation
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SIM Card and internet access
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Interprater
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pre&post Doctor Visit
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pre surgry medical test
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Medical Photography
starts From

$50,100

Silver package

Liver transplant

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Nutritional counseling
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Treatment questions
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T-VISA
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Airport transfer
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Transportation
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SIM Card and internet access
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City Tour
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Interprater
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pre&post Doctor Visit
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pre surgry medical test
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Medical Photography
starts From

$50,200

Golden package

Liver transplant

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Nutritional counseling
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Treatment questions
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T-VISA
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Airport transfer
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Transportation
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SIM Card and internet access
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City Tour
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Interprater
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pre&post Doctor Visit
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pre surgry medical test
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Medical Photography
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Out-of-Town Tour

The process encompasses several steps, including evaluation for transplant eligibility, listing on a transplant registry, and matching with a suitable donor. Post-transplant, patients need ongoing medical care and monitoring to deter rejection of the new liver and manage any potential complications.

EasyMedTrip is one of the most reputable Iranian medical tourism agencies that has been in the industry for many years. This agency can help you undergo liver transplant surgery with peace of mind, since it provides the best medical centers with the most skilled and experienced surgeons to ensure the highest success rate.

Why would someone need to have a liver transplant?

A liver transplant may be crucial for several reasons, primarily because of serious liver damage or failure that cannot be treated with other medical interventions. Common conditions that may result in the need for a liver transplant in Iran include the following:

  1. Chronic Liver Disease: Conditions like cirrhosis, which can result from chronic alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, or fatty liver disease, can cause significant liver dysfunction.
  2. Acute Liver Failure: Sudden and serious liver damage, often triggered by drug overdoses (like acetaminophen), viral infections, or autoimmune diseases, may cause a transplant to be needed.
  3. Liver Cancer: In cases where liver tumors are present and cannot be effectively treated with surgery or other therapies, a transplant may be the best choice.
  4. Genetic Disorders: Certain inherited conditions like Wilson’s disease or hemochromatosis, can lead to liver damage that may require transplantation.
  5. Biliary Atresia: A congenital condition in infants where the bile ducts are blocked or absent, resulting in liver damage.

A liver transplant is chosen when the liver is no longer able to perform its necessary functions and the patient’s quality of life is tremendously impacted. It is a complicated procedure that needs careful evaluation and matching with a suitable donor.

Liver transplant survival rate by age

Liver transplantation, while typically a life-saving procedure, carries several risks and potential complications. These can include:

  1. Surgical Risks: As with any major surgery, there are risks related to anesthesia, bleeding, and infection.
  2. Rejection: The body may reject the new liver, which can happen immediately after the transplant or at any time thereafter. This needs careful monitoring and management.
  3. Infection: Immunosuppressive medications taken to deter rejection can raise the risk of infection.
  4. Bile Duct Complications: Issues like bile leaks or strictures can occur, which may require extra procedures.
  5. Organ Failure: There is a risk that the transplanted liver may not function properly, causing potential failure.
  6. Long-term Health Issues: Recipients may experience long-term complications, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney problems, because of immunosuppressive therapy.
  7. Psychological Impact: The emotional and psychological effects of performing a transplant can also be serious, requiring support and counseling.

What are the conditions for liver donors?

The conditions for being a liver donor usually include the following criteria:

  1. Age: Donors must be between the ages of 18 and 60, although some centers may accept donors outside this range based on individual evaluations.
  2. Health Status: Potential donors need to be in good overall health, with no serious medical conditions that could make surgery or recovery complex. This includes the absence of liver disease, cancer, or severe cardiovascular issues.
  3. Body Mass Index (BMI): Many transplant centers have specific BMI requirements, usually recommending a BMI under 30, as a higher BMI can raise surgical risks.
  4. Blood Type Compatibility: Donors and recipients must have compatible blood types to minimize the risk of rejection.
  5. Psychosocial Evaluation: Donors conduct a psychological evaluation to make sure they are mentally prepared for the donation process and understand the implications.
  6. No Substance Abuse: A history of substance abuse, especially alcohol or drugs, may disqualify a potential donor.
  7. Informed Consent: Donors need to fully understand the risks and advantages of the procedure and provide informed consent.

Living-donor liver transplant

A living-donor liver transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy individual donates a portion of their liver to someone with liver disease. This type of transplant is possible since the liver has a considerable ability to regenerate. After the donation, both the donor’s and recipient’s livers can get back to near their original size within a few months.
1

First day

Arrival at IKA Airport, transfer to hotel, rest

2

Second day

Initial consultation; assessment of donor and recipient; review of medical records

3

Third day

Complete recipient tests (blood, imaging, liver and heart function)

4

Fourth day

Complete donor tests (blood, CT/MRI imaging, general health)

5

Fifth day

Specialized consultations (cardiology, pulmonology, psychology, nutrition)

6

Sixth day

Joint transplant team meeting to approve donor and recipient eligibility

7

Seventh to ninth

Recipient preparation (pre-op medications, diet, psychological readiness)
Donor preparation (additional tests, light diet, anesthesia consultation)
Hospital admission for both; preparation of operating room and surgical team

8

Tenth to fourteenth

Liver transplant surgery (removal of donor’s liver portion and transplant to recipient
ICU care for recipient; donor in general ward under supervision
Continued monitoring; daily labs and vital checks
Recipient transfer to general ward; donor begins light walking
Liver function monitoring; review of complications; nutrition and medication consultation

9

Fifteenth to nineteenth

Recipient education on immunosuppressive medications; donor ready for discharge
Donor discharge; hotel stay; daily follow-up
Recipient under ward supervision; gradual medication reduction
Recipient discharge; hotel transfer; full post-transplant care instructions
Final consultation; complete medical report; preparation for return home

Liver transplant costs in Iran

The cost of a liver transplant in Iran is dependent on several factors, including the hospital, the complexity of the case, and whether the transplant is from a living donor or a deceased donor.

Does Iran have international recognition for liver transplantation?

Yes, Iran is among the top 10 countries worldwide for liver transplantation, with active specialized centers in multiple cities.

Both living donor and deceased donor liver transplants are successfully performed in Iran.

Costs vary depending on public or private hospitals and the type of procedure, but they are generally much lower than in Europe or the United States.

The first successful liver transplant in Iran was performed in 1993 (1372 in the Iranian calendar) in Shiraz.

The initial hospital stay is usually several days, with follow-up monitoring for several weeks to adjust immunosuppressive medications.

The main challenge is taking immunosuppressive drugs regularly to prevent organ rejection.

Shiraz is the main hub, but active centers also exist in Tehran, Mashhad, Kerman, Isfahan, and Ahvaz.