MGM Healthcare Malar Performs Live Liver Transplant on Child for Genetic disorder; Ends Need for Dialysis

Chennai, January 29, 2026: MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar has successfully performed a highly complex liver transplant on a two-year-old boy weighing just nine kilograms, offering new hope to a child suffering from a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder. The child was diagnosed with primary oxaluria, a condition in which the liver fails to produce key enzymes required to eliminate oxalates—harmful metabolic waste substances that accumulate in the body, leading to recurrent kidney stones and eventual kidney failure.

 L-R:   Dr. Venkatesh B. S., Consultant, HPB, Abdominal Organ & Multivisceral Transplant Surgery, MGM Healthcare Malar,Adyar, Patient's Family, Dr. Anil Vaidya, MD, Chair & Director, Institute of Multivisceral & Abdominal Organ Transplant, MGM Healthcare Malar,Adyar, Dr. Dinesh Babu, Senior Consultant, Anaesthesiology, MGM Healthcare Malar,Adyar, and  Mr.Venugopal Bhat, Chief Operating Officer, MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar

The child was admitted with severe vomiting and poor physical growth and was found to have advanced kidney failure, requiring peritoneal dialysis. Further investigations revealed that the excessive oxalate buildup originated from a liver enzyme deficiency. While the child ultimately requires a kidney transplant, doctors determined that correcting the liver defect first was essential; without this, a transplanted kidney would also fail.

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A Live Donor Mono-Segment Liver Transplant was performed, with the child’s grandmother serving as the donor. The surgery was uneventful, and the child’s recovery has been smooth and rapid. Following the transplant, the child’s kidney function has shown significant improvement, eliminating the immediate need for dialysis. A kidney transplant is planned at a later stage.

The surgery was carried out by a multi-visceral transplant team led by Dr Anil Vaidya MD, Chair and Director, Institute of Multi-Visceral and Abdominal Organ Transplant, MGM Malar, with support from Dr Senthil Muthuraman, Senior Consultant, and Dr Venkatesh BS, Consultant, Multi-Visceral Transplant. Anaesthesia was managed by Dr Dinesh Babu, Senior Consultant, Anaesthesiology, along with late Dr Nivash Chandrasekaran and Dr Saravanan, Senior Consultant. Pre- and post-transplant renal care was overseen by the nephrology team led by Dr Srinivasa Prasad ND, Senior Consultant, while the intensive care unit played a vital role in the child’s post-operative recovery.

Commenting on the case, Dr Anil Vaidya MD said, “Performing a liver transplant on such a young and underweight child is extremely challenging. Ideally, we wait for weight gain, but the severity of this condition required urgent intervention. By correcting the liver first, we addressed the root cause of the kidney failure. The child is now off dialysis, thriving, and gradually clearing excess oxalates. With immunosuppressive therapy in place, we are preparing for a kidney transplant at the appropriate time."

Mr. Venugopal Bhat, COO, MGM Healthcare Malar, added, “This rare and complex case highlights what is possible with meticulous planning and a multidisciplinary approach. Instead of performing a combined liver-kidney transplant, we adopted a sequential strategy in the child’s best interest. Following the liver transplant, the child was closely monitored in our ICU with support from nephrology and other specialties. The success of this procedure reflects the dedication and seamless coordination of our clinical teams.”

This landmark procedure underscores MGM Healthcare Malar’s expertise in managing rare pediatric transplant cases and reinforces its commitment to delivering advanced, life-saving care even in the most challenging circumstances.

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