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This page lists 12 liver transplant doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.
About Liver Transplant doctors in Chennai, India
This directory is based on doctors currently listed in GAF Healthcare's registry. Clinical suitability varies by patient; a doctor should review your history and investigations before any treatment decision.
Liver Transplant doctors
FeaturedDr. Arul Kumar S
MBBS, MS in General Surgery, Fellowship in HPB Surgery, Fellowship in Liver Transplantation
Associate Consultant — Surgical Gastroenterology · Specialty: Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India18+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 18+ years of experience in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgeon
- Associate Consultant, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology and HPB Surgery, Rela Hospital, Chennai (Present)
- Training in HPB Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore (2014–2016)
Expertise & Procedures
- Live donor liver transplantation
- Deceased donor liver transplant
- Hilar cholangiocarcinoma resection
- Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy)
- Complex liver resections
Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgeon Experience: 18+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Rela HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
Dr. Dinesh Jothimani
MBBS, MRCP (UK), CCT in Hepatology, Gastroenterology & General Medicine, FRCP (Glasgow)
Director — Hepatology, Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary · Specialty: Hepatologist
Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre Chennai, India19+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 19+ years of experience in Hepatologist
- Director, Hepatology, Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary — Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai (2018–Present)
- Consultant Hepatologist and Liver Transplant Physician — Global Hospitals, Chennai (2012–2018)
Expertise & Procedures
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
- Liver Transplant Assessment and Management
- Hepatic Biopsy and Fibroscan
- Endoscopic Variceal Ligation
- Management of Acute Liver Failure
Hepatologist Experience: 19+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Dr. Rela Institute & Medical CentreHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
Dr. Gomathy Narasimhan
MBBS, MS, ASTS Fellowship in Transplant Surgery, GMHE
Senior Consultant — Liver and Renal Transplant Surgery & Surgical Gastroenterology · Specialty: Liver Transplant Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India20+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 20+ years of experience in Liver Transplant Surgeon
- Senior Consultant — Liver and Renal Transplant Surgery & Surgical Gastroenterology, Rela Hospital, Chennai, Present
- ASTS Fellowship in Transplant Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA, 2006
Expertise & Procedures
- Adult liver transplantation
- Pediatric liver transplant
- Living donor kidney transplant
- Combined liver-kidney transplant
- Multivisceral transplant
Liver Transplant Surgeon Experience: 20+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Rela HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
Dr. Jasper Sandeep Rajasekar
MBBS, MS, MCh, MRCS
Associate Consultant — Surgical Gastroenterology · Specialty: Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India11+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 11+ years of experience in Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon
- Associate Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterology, Rela Hospital, Chennai — Present
- Liver Transplantation Unit Member, Rela Hospital, Chennai — 2016–Present
Expertise & Procedures
- Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT)
- Deceased donor liver transplantation
- Pediatric liver transplantation
- Hepatocellular carcinoma resection
- Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy)
Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon Experience: 11+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Rela HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
Dr. Joy Varghese
MBBS, MD, DM (Gastroenterology), PhD, Fellowship in Liver Transplantation
Director of Hepatology & Transplant Hepatology — Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary · Specialty: Hepatologist & Liver Transplant Physician
Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai Chennai, India25+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 25+ years of experience in Hepatologist & Liver Transplant Physician
- Director of Hepatology & Transplant Hepatology – Gleneagles HealthCity, Chennai, India – Present
- Program Director, Liver Transplant Society of India (LTSI) Fellowship in Transplant Hepatology – Gleneagles HealthCity, Chennai – Present
Expertise & Procedures
- Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
- Living Donor Liver Transplantation
- Liver Biopsy
- Endoscopic Variceal Ligation
- Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for Liver Diseases
Hepatologist & Liver Transplant Physician Experience: 25+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Gleneagles HealthCity ChennaiHospital accreditation: NABH, JCI
Dr. Kumar Palaniappan
MBBS, DNB General Surgery, DNB Surgical Gastroenterology, Fellowship in Liver Transplantation & HPB Surgery
Clinical Lead — Laparoscopy Liver Surgery, Surgical Gastroenterology · Specialty: Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India20+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 20+ years of experience in Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon
- Clinical Lead – Laparoscopy Liver Surgery, Senior Consultant Abdominal Trauma, HPB Surgery & Liver Transplantation, Rela Hospital, Chennai – Present
- Senior Consultant Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai
Expertise & Procedures
- Liver Transplantation (Living & Deceased Donor)
- Laparoscopic Liver Resection
- Hepatic Tumor Surgery
- Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy)
- Gastrectomy
Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon Experience: 20+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Rela HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
Dr. Prithiviraj Nabi
MBBS, MS General Surgery, MCh Surgical Gastroenterology, DNB Surgical Gastroenterology, FMAS, FALS, FACS
Associate Consultant — Surgical Gastroenterology · Specialty: Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India18+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 18+ years of experience in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgeon
- Associate Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterology, Rela Hospital, Chennai, Present
- Training fellowship, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Paul Brousse Hospital, Paris, France
Expertise & Procedures
- Liver transplantation and graft assessment
- Liver tumor resection and hepatectomy
- Whipple procedure and pancreaticoduodenectomy
- Pancreatectomy and pancreatic reconstruction
- Laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy
Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgeon Experience: 18+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Rela HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
Dr. Radhika Venugopal
MBBS, MD, DM, Fellowship in Transplant Hepatology
Consultant Hepatologist — Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary · Specialty: Hepatologist
Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre Chennai, India24+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 24+ years of experience in Hepatologist
- Consultant Hepatologist, Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai — Present
- Fellowship in Transplant Hepatology, Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai — 2020
Expertise & Procedures
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Gastrointestinal Stent Placement
- Liver Biopsy and Fibrosis Assessment
- Esophageal Variceal Banding
- Pre-Liver Transplant Medical Optimization
Hepatologist Experience: 24+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Dr. Rela Institute & Medical CentreHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
Dr. Rajanikanth Patcha
MBBS, MS, MRCS, FRCS, DIP LAP, FEBS (Liver Tx), FEBS (HPB)
Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant — Surgical Gastroenterology · Specialty: HPB & Liver Transplant Surgeon
Gleneagles Global Health City Chennai, India22+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 22+ years of experience in HPB & Liver Transplant Surgeon
- Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant — Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplant, Institute of Liver Sciences, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai
- Senior Clinical Fellow and Research Fellow in Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery, Kings College Hospital, London — 6 years
Expertise & Procedures
- Living donor liver transplantation
- Cadaveric liver transplantation
- Pediatric liver transplantation
- Hepatic resection for tumors
- Whipple procedure for pancreatic cancer
HPB & Liver Transplant Surgeon Experience: 22+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Gleneagles Global Health CityHospital accreditation: NABH, JCI
Dr. Rajesh Rajalingam
MBBS, MS in General Surgery, MCh in Gastrointestinal Surgery, Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Liver Transplantation
Clinical Lead — Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery · Specialty: Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India20+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
- 20+ years of experience in Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon
- Clinical Lead — Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Rela Hospital, Chennai
- Senior Consultant — Liver Transplantation, Rela Hospital, Chennai
Expertise & Procedures
- Liver transplantation (living and deceased donor)
- Donor hepatectomy
- Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy)
- Hepatic resection for malignancy
- Portal vein reconstruction
Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon Experience: 20+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Rela HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
Hospitals where these doctors practise
🇮🇳 Chennai, IndiaStarting from$28,000
Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre
Est. 2018
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationNABL — National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories accreditation
Liver TransplantLiver Transplant & HPBCardiac SurgeryCardiology
10+
Doctors for Liver Transplant
4.7
108 reviews
450+
Beds
8+
Years Since Founded
🇮🇳 Chennai, IndiaStarting from$28,000
Gleneagles Global Hospital
Est. 1999
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationJCI — Joint Commission International accreditation
Liver TransplantLiver Transplant & HPBCardiac SurgeryCardiology
1+
Doctors for Liver Transplant
4.7
112 reviews
1000+
Beds
27+
Years Since Founded
🇮🇳 Parel, Mumbai, IndiaStarting from$28,000
Gleneagles Global Hospitals (Global Hospitals)
Est. 1996
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationJCI — Joint Commission International accreditation
Liver TransplantLiver Transplant & HPBCardiac SurgeryOrthopedics
1+
Doctors for Liver Transplant
4.6
183 reviews
450+
Beds
30+
Years Since Founded
Why consider treatment in India?
Many international patients consider India for liver transplant & hpb treatment for several reasons, including:
More affordable estimates
Competitive indicative costs compared with many other countries, for similar clinical standards.
Internationally accredited hospitals
Hospitals experienced in treating international patients.
Experienced specialists
Doctors who regularly manage similar cases.
Care coordination support
A team to help with planning, medical translation and follow-up.
About the Procedure
What is Liver Transplant?
Liver transplant is a surgical procedure to replace a diseased or failed liver with a healthy liver or part of a liver from a donor. It is recommended for patients with end-stage liver disease, decompensated cirrhosis, acute liver failure, or certain liver cancers confined to the liver. India is a leading global destination for liver transplant due to high success rates, experienced HPB surgical teams, and significantly lower costs compared to Western countries.
Who may be considered?
Liver Transplant may be considered after a qualified specialist reviews your reports and medical history. Suitability varies from person to person and must be assessed by your treating doctor.
How does it work?
A portion of the liver is surgically removed from a healthy, willing donor (usually a close relative) and transplanted into the recipient; both liver segments regenerate to near-normal size within weeks.
2 approaches available for this procedure:
Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)
Most PopularA portion of the liver is surgically removed from a healthy, willing donor (usually a close relative) and transplanted into the recipient; both liver segments regenerate to near-normal size within weeks.
Comprehensive Investigations
Estimated cost: $1,500 - $3,500
Liver function tests, complete blood count (CBC), viral markers (Hepatitis B/C, HIV), coagulation profile, blood grouping and cross-matching, abdominal CT/MRI with liver volumetry, doppler ultrasound of liver vessels, donor liver biopsy, ECG, 2D echocardiography, chest X-ray, tumor markers if applicable
Treatment / Procedure Estimate
Estimated cost in India: $32,000 - $48,000
Stay in India
Pre-procedure stay (outside hospital): ~7 days
Hospitalisation: ~18-21 days
Recovery period (outside hospital): ~60-90 days recommended
Total stay: approx 30 days in India
Usually Included in Hospital Package
- Surgeon, anesthetist and HPB surgical team fees
- Donor and recipient hospital stay including ICU
- Immunosuppressant medications during hospitalization
- Operation theatre and transplant surgery charges
- Standard post-op monitoring and nursing care
Usually Not Included
- Long-term immunosuppressant medications after discharge
- Visa, travel and local accommodation for patient and donor attendants
- Unforeseen complication management or repeat ICU stay
- Post-discharge follow-up consultations and lab tests
Recovery and follow-up
Patients typically stay in the ICU for 3-5 days followed by 2-3 weeks of ward monitoring, with lifelong immunosuppressant therapy and regular follow-up blood tests, liver function monitoring, and periodic imaging to check for rejection or complications.
Risks
As with any major surgery, risks include bleeding, infection, bile duct complications, blood clots, organ rejection, and anesthesia-related complications; donors in LDLT also face surgical risks related to partial liver resection.
Alternatives
Depending on disease stage, alternatives may include medical management of cirrhosis, TIPS procedure for portal hypertension, locoregional therapies for liver cancer such as TACE or RFA, or listing for a deceased-donor transplant if a living donor is unavailable.
What we need to prepare a formal estimate
Share whatever you have — the care team will confirm the final checklist after reviewing your case.
Reports required
- Complete liver function tests and CBC
- Abdominal CT/MRI with liver volumetry
- Viral marker panel (Hepatitis B, C, HIV)
- MELD/Child-Pugh score documentation
- Doppler ultrasound of liver and portal vessels
- Cardiac evaluation (ECG, 2D echo)
- Previous discharge summaries and treatment history
- Potential donor's medical and blood group details (for LDLT)
Patient information needed
- Current diagnosis and underlying cause of liver disease
- MELD/Child-Pugh score and disease severity
- History of ascites, encephalopathy or GI bleeding
- Availability and willingness of a potential living donor
- Blood group of patient and potential donor
- Any comorbidities such as diabetes, kidney or heart disease
- Current medications including diuretics and beta-blockers
- Passport copy and preferred travel timeline
Costs shown are indicative planning estimates based on typical pricing across leading Indian hospitals. They are not a quote — actual pricing depends on your case complexity, hospital choice, and length of stay. Share your reports for a personalized estimate.
How this directory is built
Doctors are matched using the specialty, location and procedure (Liver Transplant) recorded in their profiles. Inclusion is not an endorsement and does not guarantee a treatment outcome.
Need help with the next step?
Share your needs with our care coordination team for information about doctors and hospitals.
Common questions
FAQs about Liver Transplant in Chennai, India
What is Liver Transplant?
Liver Transplant is a health condition whose presentation and severity can vary between patients. A clinician considers the reported symptoms, medical history, physical examination, relevant risk factors and appropriate investigations rather than relying on one symptom or test alone.
What are the symptoms and health risks of Liver Transplant?
Symptoms and health effects of Liver Transplant depend on the underlying cause, duration and severity. A person may have condition-related symptoms, reduced function or complications, while some people have few obvious symptoms. New, worsening or severe symptoms should be discussed with a qualified clinician; symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.
How is Liver Transplant diagnosed?
Assessment for Liver Transplant usually starts with a detailed history and examination. Depending on the concern, the clinician may review previous records, order blood tests, imaging or other condition-appropriate investigations, and arrange specialist review. The diagnosis and treatment plan should be based on the complete clinical picture and not on an online page alone.
How is Liver Transplant treated?
Treatment for Liver Transplant depends on the confirmed diagnosis, severity, cause, overall health and treatment goals. It may include observation or lifestyle and supportive care, medicines, rehabilitation, specialist monitoring, or a procedure such as Liver Transplant when clinically appropriate. A specialist should explain expected benefits, limitations, alternatives and risks.
Can Liver Transplant be treated without a procedure?
Many patients with Liver Transplant may first be considered for non-surgical care, such as monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, nutrition or activity changes, symptom management and treatment of related health issues. Whether this is suitable depends on the diagnosis and response to care; non-surgical treatment should not be stopped or changed without medical advice.
When is Liver Transplant considered for Liver Transplant?
Liver Transplant may be considered only when it is appropriate for the confirmed diagnosis and the expected benefit outweighs the individual risks. The decision may depend on symptom severity, investigation results, previous treatment, overall health and the patient's goals. A specialist should discuss alternatives and recovery before any procedure is planned.
Which doctor treats Liver Transplant?
Liver Transplant is commonly assessed by a Liver Transplant & HPB specialist. Depending on the diagnosis, a radiologist, physician, surgeon, rehabilitation professional or other member of a multidisciplinary team may also contribute. The appropriate doctor depends on the symptoms, confirmed diagnosis and whether a procedure is being considered.
How do I choose a doctor for Liver Transplant?
Compare a Liver Transplant & HPB doctor's experience with Liver Transplant, the type of cases they manage, relevant procedure experience where applicable, hospital affiliation, diagnostic approach, multidisciplinary support and follow-up plan. Ask which treatment options fit your diagnosis and what information the doctor needs before giving an opinion.
What documents do international patients need to share for a medical evaluation?
Share a concise medical summary, symptom timeline, previous diagnoses, investigation and imaging reports, procedure or biopsy reports where relevant, current medicines, allergies and related treatment records. Provide clear copies with translations when needed. The reviewing doctor may request additional information before giving an opinion.
How does GAF Healthcare help international patients plan treatment in India?
Our care coordination team can review the initial information, help identify suitable doctors and hospitals, request a medical opinion where available, explain next steps and indicative cost information, and support practical planning before travel. A remote opinion does not replace an in-person examination or emergency care.