What are the indications for liver transplants?

Liver transplants are indicated primarily for conditions that lead to severe impairment of liver function and threaten the patient's life. Cirrhosis, which is the end-stage of various liver diseases, is a primary indication for transplantation. In addition, conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), characterized by the progressive destruction of the bile ducts and recurrent cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts), can lead to complications that necessitate liver transplantation. These patients often develop cirrhosis over time, making transplantation not only a potential life-saving intervention but also a necessary one for restoring adequate liver function.

Other possibilities, such as end-stage liver disease, align with some indications, but specific conditions and complexities, like the recurrent cholangitis associated with PSC, further emphasize the need for transplant rather than just showcasing liver failure in a general sense. Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, severe obesity, gallbladder disease, and chronic pancreatitis do not typically fit the criteria for liver transplantation, as they either pertain to other organs or are managed through different medical or surgical interventions.