Miracle Surgery: High-Risk Living Donor Liver Transplant Success

Hyderabad: Medicover Hospitals, Hitech City has successfully performed a high-risk Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT) on a 43-year-old male suffering from advanced decompensated chronic liver disease, marking a significant achievement in managing one of the most critical liver failure cases.

The transplant was performed on 18 October 2025, when the patient was in an extremely critical condition. He presented with multiple life-threatening complications, including severe portal hypertension, massive ascites, recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, and Grade III hepatic encephalopathy.

The patient remained unconscious for nearly 12 days prior to transplantation. Liver function tests showed severe deterioration, with bilirubin levels reaching 37 mg/dL, indicating end-stage liver failure and the urgent need for transplantation.

Speaking about the case, Dr. Kishore Reddy, Lead Liver Transplant Surgeon, Medicover Hospitals, Hitech City, said,

“This was a highly challenging transplant due to the patient’s critical neurological status and severely compromised liver function. A timely decision, precise surgical execution, and coordinated multidisciplinary care were crucial in achieving a successful outcome.”

The patient’s care was led by a multidisciplinary liver transplant team. Dr. Krishnagopal Bhandari and Dr. Ajay Shesherao Shinde, Consultant Gastroenterologists & Liver Transplant Physicians, played a key role in pre-transplant optimization and post-transplant medical management.

Dr. SBS Srinivas, Head of Liver Transplant Anesthesia and Liver Critical Care, led the perioperative anesthesia and intensive care management, ensuring stability during and after the complex procedure.

Post-transplant, the patient was managed in the Transplant Intensive Care Unit under strict protocols. His recovery involved delayed extubation and intensive monitoring. Complications such as fever, elevated inflammatory markers, and bilateral pleural effusions were promptly identified and effectively treated. Serial Doppler studies confirmed good graft perfusion and function.

Due to prolonged critical illness, the patient developed critical illness–related polyneuromyopathy, resulting in severe muscle weakness. With structured physiotherapy and rehabilitation, he showed gradual improvement. Liver parameters normalized steadily, immunosuppressive therapy was optimized, and all surgical drains were removed.

At discharge, the patient was clinically stable, tolerating oral diet, and continuing rehabilitation.

This successful transplant highlights Medicover Hospitals, Hitech City’s advanced liver transplant capabilities and underscores the importance of timely referral, expert surgical care, specialized anesthesia, and comprehensive critical care in saving high-risk liver failure patients.