Liver Transplant in Turkey: Living-Donor Liver Transplantation in Istanbul

Who can be a liver donor? The legal framework

In Türkiye, international patients can receive a liver transplant only from a living donor and must come with their own donor. By law the donor must be related to the recipient by blood or marriage up to and including the fourth degree, proven with official documents. Donors who are not relatives require approval by the hospital’s ethics committee. New City Clinic does not provide donors and does not mediate in any arrangement of that kind. Organ trading is a crime in Türkiye.

When is a liver transplant considered?

A liver transplant is a treatment for cirrhosis, certain liver tumours and acute liver failure. Whether it is suitable for the recipient, and whether the donor can donate, is decided only by the hospital’s transplant council after testing.

What is a living-donor liver transplant?

Part of a healthy donor’s liver is removed and transplanted into the patient. The liver can regenerate: both the part remaining in the donor and the transplanted part grow to an adequate volume within weeks.

Donor assessment comes first

The donor candidate’s blood group compatibility, liver volume and vascular anatomy are examined with detailed imaging. The donor’s safety comes before every decision, and unsuitable candidates are not accepted. The decision is made by a transplant council of hepatology, surgery, anaesthesia and radiology specialists.

The operation and hospital stay

Donor and recipient operations are performed at the same time; the recipient’s operation usually takes 6–10 hours. The donor stays in hospital for 7–10 days, and the liver largely regains its volume in 6–8 weeks. The recipient spends the first days in intensive care, then 2–3 weeks on the ward while liver function and drug levels are monitored.

The process of about 70 days, documents and visa

For the first 1–2 months you stay in Istanbul for frequent check-ups while medication doses are adjusted; including tests, surgery and check-ups, the whole process is planned at about 70 days. Documents proving the family relationship must be translated and certified, and you are told in writing which ones are needed. Recipient and donor should check visa or e-visa requirements on evisa.gov.tr; once treatment is planned, the hospital confirms the appointment in writing. Accommodation near the hospital and transfers are arranged.

Partner hospitals and life after the transplant

Transplantation is coordinated at partner hospitals with organ transplant centres (Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni University Hospital). Immunosuppressant medication is taken for life and monitored with blood tests, and regular hepatology follow-up continues at home; your reports are prepared in English for your physician.

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