Best Liver Transplantation Hospital in Chennai

The Apollo Liver Diseases & Transplantation Institute, Chennai, is one of India’s leading centres for comprehensive liver care, offering a wide range of expertise - from diagnosing and treating liver conditions to performing advanced liver surgeries and liver transplants.

As a specialized unit within Apollo’s Organ Transplantation Centre of Excellence, the Institute brings together liver specialists (hepatologists), transplant surgeons, anesthetists, critical care intensivists, and coordinators to deliver seamless, multidisciplinary care.

Apollo Hospitals performed India’s first successful liver transplant in 1998. Today, with over 5,000 transplants completed across the network and a clinical success rate exceeding 95%, the program stands among the most experienced globally.  

Chennai offers a distinct advantage. Tamil Nadu has historically led India in deceased organ donation and organ utilization, improving access to deceased donor transplantation.

The Institute is an accredited centre for liver transplants under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), making advanced liver care accessible across economic backgrounds. It is also among the very few liver transplant centres in India with 24-hour readiness for emergency cadaveric (deceased) organ retrieval and transplantation.

• Proven Clinical Outcomes: Apollo’s liver transplant program maintains a success rate of over 95%, reflecting excellence across surgical precision, critical care, and long-term follow-up.
• Unmatched Experience: With over 5,000 liver transplants performed, 25+ years of delivering expert care, and patients treated from 50+ countries, Apollo brings world-class experience to every patient. We are recognized as one of India’s leading hospitals in liver transplant for consecutive years.
• Pioneers in Liver Transplant: Performed India’s first successful deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) in 1998 and South Asia’s first combined liver–heart transplant in 2015. Our Institute has been awarded by the Tamil Nadu government for performing a high number of successful DDLT transplants.
• Multidisciplinary Expertise: Every patient is reviewed by a team of specialists, including hepatologists, transplant surgeons, oncologists, intensivists, radiologists, pediatricians and specialists, ensuring comprehensive decision-making.
• Advanced Technology & Infrastructure: Apollo combines a dedicated Liver ICU with 24/7 specialist care, advanced imaging such as 320-slice CT and high-resolution MRI, world’s leading technology like CUSA and OrganOx Metra, along with AI-guided analysis and investigations for precise diagnosis and safer, more effective treatment.
• One Destination, Comprehensive Care: The Apollo Liver Diseases & Transplantation Institute brings evaluation, imaging, biopsy, surgical consultation, and transplant planning under one roof. There are 6 such licensed Apollo Hospitals in Tamil Nadu performing liver transplants.  
• Accessibility & Affordability: Recognized under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), making advanced liver care accessible to a wider population. The Institute also works closely with TRANSTAN and other regional bodies to support this ecosystem.

At the Apollo Liver Diseases & Transplantation Institute, advanced technology plays a critical role in improving precision, safety, and outcomes across liver care and transplantation — from early diagnosis to complex surgery and post-operative care.

• 320-slice CT Scanner: Provides highly detailed, fast imaging for accurate diagnosis and precise surgical planning.
• High-Resolution MRI: Offers superior soft tissue imaging, essential for evaluating liver disease, tumours, and vascular structures.
• FibroScan: A non-invasive test that measures liver stiffness to assess fibrosis and cirrhosis without the need for biopsy. Only centre with the advanced Fibroscan Expert 630 for liver screening
• Ultrasound with Elastography: Combines imaging with stiffness measurement to evaluate liver health and detect early disease.
• da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System: An advanced robotic platform that allows surgeons to perform complex liver procedures with enhanced precision, 3D visualization, and improved control.  
• Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA): Allows surgeons to selectively remove diseased liver tissue while preserving healthy structures, improving safety during complex procedures.
• OrganOx Metra Machine Perfusion System: Maintains donor livers in near-physiological conditions outside the body, improving organ viability and transplant success rates.
• Advanced Onco Care : Proton Therapy and Nuclear Medicine for treating liver cancer
  
   

Travelling to another country for a liver transplant can feel overwhelming, but at Apollo Hospitals Chennai, our dedicated International Patient Services team ensures your journey is smooth, coordinated, and fully supported from start to finish.

• When is a liver transplant recommended?

A liver transplant is recommended when the liver can no longer function adequately, and all other treatment options have been exhausted or are unlikely to provide a durable benefit. Common reasons include end-stage liver disease (due to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, excessive alcohol use, or fatty liver disease), acute liver failure, certain liver tumours (particularly hepatocellular carcinoma within defined criteria), and inherited metabolic conditions in children. Your transplant team will conduct a thorough evaluation before making this recommendation.  

• What is the difference between a living donor and a deceased donor transplant?

In a living donor liver transplant (LDLT), a family member or compatible donor voluntarily donates a portion of their liver (usually the right lobe). Both the donor's remaining liver and the transplanted portion regenerate to near-normal size within a few months. In a deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT), the liver is retrieved from a deceased donor who has consented to organ donation. The choice between them depends on medical urgency, blood group compatibility, the donor's suitability, and timing. Our Institute offers other types of liver transplants as well. Our team will guide you through both options and help identify what is most appropriate for your situation.  

• How long does the transplant surgery take, and what does recovery involve? 

A liver transplant surgery typically takes between 8 and 14 hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure. After surgery, patients are monitored in the dedicated Liver Intensive Care Unit (LICU) before being moved to the ward. Most patients are hospitalized for approximately 10 to 14 days post-surgery. Discharge depends on how the new liver is functioning and the patient's overall recovery. Full return to normal activities is generally expected within three to six months, though individual recovery timelines vary.  

• What is the success rate of liver transplantation at Apollo? 

Apollo's liver transplant institute maintains a clinical success rate of over 95%, consistent with outcomes at the world's leading transplant centres. Individual outcomes depend on factors including the patient's pre-transplant health status, the underlying liver disease, the type of transplant, and adherence to post-transplant medications and follow-up protocols. Our team will provide you with a realistic and personalized picture of what to expect in your specific case.  

• Will the donor be safe after donating a part of their liver? 

Donor safety is a non-negotiable priority at Apollo. Every potential living donor undergoes a rigorous multi-step evaluation — medical, surgical, psychological, and social before being approved. Surgery is only offered if the donor's residual liver volume is sufficient for safe function. The donated portion of the liver regenerates within a few months. Donor recovery typically takes four to six weeks. Apollo's living donor program has a strong safety record, and donors are followed closely through their recovery.  

• What medications will I need after a liver transplant, and for how long? 

After a transplant, patients are placed on immunosuppressant medications which prevent the immune system from recognizing the new liver as foreign and attacking it. These medications are typically required life-long, though doses are often reduced over time as the body adjusts. Our team works closely with each patient to optimize their medication regimen, monitor side effects, and adjust doses based on regular blood tests. Adherence to the prescribed medication schedule is one of the most important factors in long-term transplant success.  

• Can liver disease return after a transplant? 

In some cases, the original liver disease can recur in the transplanted liver. This is most commonly seen with hepatitis C (now highly manageable with direct-acting antiviral medicines) and metabolic-dysfunction fatty liver disease. Patients who received a transplant for hepatitis B are placed on preventive antiviral therapy. The Apollo team monitors signs of recurrence and has protocols to manage them early, giving the new liver the best chance of long-term function.  

• How does Apollo coordinate the transplant process for international patients?

Apollo has a dedicated International Patient Services team that assists with appointment scheduling, medical record review, visa, travel and accommodation arrangements, and communication with referring physicians. Once a patient is on the transplant waiting list, the team remains in close contact and ensures that when an organ becomes available, the patient can reach Apollo Chennai within the required timeframe. Our transplant coordinators are available round the clock for any concerns.  

• Is liver transplantation available under government health insurance schemes?

Yes. Apollo Hospitals Chennai has successfully performed over 50 liver transplants under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), enabling patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to access complex, life-saving care at no or reduced cost. Our patient services team can assist you in understanding your eligibility and the documentation required.  

• What dietary and lifestyle changes are required after a liver transplant?

After a transplant, patients are advised to  follow a balanced, nutritious diet; avoiding raw or undercooked meat and fish (to reduce infection risk), limiting salt (to manage blood pressure), and avoiding excessive sugar and saturated fats (to maintain a healthy weight). Alcohol must be avoided entirely. Regular physical activity is encouraged as recovery progresses. A dedicated clinical dietician works with every transplant patient to create an individualized nutrition plan, both during hospitalization and after discharge.