Dr. Vivek Vij – Leading Liver Transplant Surgeon in India (Hepatobiliary & Liver Specialist)
About the Doctor
Dr. Vivek Vij is a renowned liver transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon in India, currently associated with a leading multi-super-speciality hospital in Delhi NCR, Fortis Memorial Research Institute. He is widely recognised as one of the pioneers of laparoscopic donor hepatectomy in the Indian subcontinent.
He has played a key role in establishing highly successful liver transplant programs across India, with a cumulative experience of 2500+ liver transplants, achieving exceptional clinical outcomes and a patient success rate of around 97% in well-selected cases.
He is especially known for maintaining one of the lowest biliary complication rates globally in living donor liver transplant (LDLT), making him a trusted choice for complex liver cases.
Patients from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and other African countries frequently travel to India for advanced liver failure and transplant treatment under his care.
Specialization in Liver & Hepatobiliary Surgery
Liver Transplantation
- Adult liver transplant
- Paediatric liver transplant
- Living donor liver transplant (LDLT)
- Cadaveric liver transplant coordination
Advanced Liver Surgery
- Complex liver tumour surgery
- Bile duct reconstruction
- Portal hypertension management
Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery
- Laparoscopic donor hepatectomy
- Advanced hepatobiliary laparoscopic procedures
- Robotic liver surgery
Other Expertise
- Pancreato-biliary surgeries
- Regenerative medicine research
- Advanced gastrointestinal surgery
Experience & Achievements
- 2500+ successful liver transplants
- Pioneer of laparoscopic donor liver surgery in India
- International publications in liver transplantation
- Faculty at global liver transplant conferences
- Recipient of international training and honours (USA, ILTS Chicago)
- Honoured by Ministry of Health (Mongolia)
When Is a Liver Transplant Needed?
A liver transplant may be required in conditions such as:
- End-stage liver disease
- Liver cirrhosis
- Acute liver failure
- Liver cancer (selected cases)
- Genetic or metabolic liver disorders
Early evaluation improves transplant success rates.
Liver Transplant Procedure Overview
- Evaluation of patient and donor
- Blood group matching and fitness assessment
- Surgical removal of diseased liver
- Implantation of healthy donor liver
- Post-operative ICU monitoring and recovery
Recovery depends on overall health and disease severity before surgery.
Why African Patients Travel to India for Liver Transplant
Patients from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and other African countries choose India because of:
- Highly experienced liver transplant surgeons
- Advanced surgical infrastructure and ICU care
- High success rates in complex liver cases
- Lower cost compared to Western countries
- Availability of living donor transplant programs
- Faster access to life-saving surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a liver transplant?
A liver transplant is a surgery that replaces a diseased liver with a healthy donor liver.
Who can donate a liver?
A healthy close relative aged 18–55 with matching blood group can be a living donor.
What is the success rate of liver transplant?
In experienced centres, success rates can exceed 90% when done at the right time.
How long does liver transplant surgery take?
It usually takes between 6 to 14 hours depending on complexity.
What are the risks after liver transplant?
Rejection and infection are the most common risks, managed with medication and monitoring.
Can patients live a normal life after transplant?
Yes, most patients return to normal activities including work, diet, and exercise.
Why do African patients come to India for liver transplant?
India offers advanced liver transplant care at a lower cost with high success rates.
