Of late, India has witnessed a significant rise in liver-related diseases, primarily driven by excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, genetic disorders, and other factors. According to DGHS, approximately 200,000 people die annually due to liver failure or liver cancer. However, only 1,500-2,000 liver transplants are performed each year, compared to the estimated demand of 25-30,000 transplants. Despite this alarming gap, several exceptional liver transplant surgeons in the country are working tirelessly to address the crisis. Among them, Dr Karthik Mathivanan stands out for his remarkable expertise and dedication to advancing liver care in India.

Dr Karthik began his medical journey with an MBBS from Sri Ramachandra Medical University, followed by a DNB in General Surgery from the Voluntary Health Services Hospital and a Fellowship in Liver Transplant & Hepatobiliary Surgery at Medanta Liver Transplantation & Regenerative Medicine Institute. His career commenced at Apollo Hospitals, after which he served at prestigious institutions such as Medanta - The Medicity, Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute, and MGM Healthcare. Currently serving as the Program Director - Liver & MultiOrgan Transplant at MIOT International, Dr Karthik also founded Liver India, a clinic dedicated to educating the public and providing high-quality liver care to all.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr Karthik shares, “During my final year of MBBS, I learned that the liver is one of the most challenging organs to treat, with very few successful liver transplant surgeons in India at the time. Liver transplantation not only offers patients a second chance at life but also positively impacts their families. As someone who thrives on challenges and is passionate about making a difference, I was naturally drawn to this field and chose to specialize in liver transplant surgery”.

Profound Expertise & Patient-Centric Care

Under the leadership of Dr Karthik, Liver India has emerged as one of the most reputable centers in India for a wide range of treatments and organ transplants. His expertise extends to liver transplant, intestinal transplant, pancreas transplant, and kidney transplant, making Liver India a sought-after destination for patients in need of complex procedures. Dr Karthik’s commitment to patient-centric care is evident in his approach. During his rounds, he ensures that each patient receives personalized attention, spending 5-10 minutes with every individual. For patients struggling with anxiety or depression, he takes additional time to engage in meaningful conversations, instilling courage and confidence. As a result, many patients have expressed feeling reinvigorated after his visits, often describing his presence as an ‘extra dose of energy’ that uplifts their spirits.

Dr Karthik continuously integrates the latest advancements into his practice to achieve the best outcomes for his patients. One such innovation is transplant oncology, a cutting-edge approach for treating complex liver cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma often poses significant challenges for transplantation not merely due to the presence of cancer, but because of its advanced stage and aggressive biological behavior, which contribute to a high risk of recurrence and make transplantation very complex. Dr Karthik adopts a multimodal strategy, collaborating with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, surgical oncologists, and transplant surgeons. This approach not only makes patients eligible for transplantation but also ensures excellent survival rates with minimal chances of recurrence.

Reminiscing one of the most challenging cases of his career, Dr Karthik recalls, “A 32-year-old female doctor from European Union diagnosed with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma affecting both lobes of her liver. After being denied a transplant across Europe, she discovered Liver India online and reached out for help. We adopted a multimodal approach, beginning with radioembolization of the lesions in the right lobe, followed by the left lobe. This was complemented with a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. After six months of rigorous observation, there were no signs of progression or new lesions. Confident in her recovery, we even performed a successful liver transplant, marking a transformative moment for the patient. This case remains close to my heart, not only because of its complexity but also due to the positive outcome. I had the privilege of presenting this case at a consensus conference in Valencia, highlighting the possibilities that a multi-disciplinary approach can achieve”.

Always prioritizing patient experience, Dr Karthik maintains a personal touch with his patients by spending at least 5-10 minutes with each of them whenever he goes on rounds

Unique Approach to Patient Care

Dr Karthik has been an integral part of 2,000+ liver transplants as a core team member and has successfully performed numerous transplants independently, demonstrating his expertise in complex procedures. His pioneering work in the field of liver transplantation includes several groundbreaking achievements such as first liver transplant using a Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) pump on an end-stage liver disease patient, Asia’s first living donor liver transplant for acute liver failure in a SARS-2 Covid positive recipient, world’s smallest liver transplant on a recipient weighing just 2.1 kg, India’s first successful Intestinal Transplant, South India’s first combined Cardiac bypass & living donor liver transplant in a 70-year-old lady, and many others.

Owing to such exceptional track record, Dr Karthik is also a member of several professional organizations such as International Liver Transplant Society, Liver Transplant Society of India (Founding Member), and Association of Surgeons of India, and many others. He has also been conferred with numerous awards & accolades such as ‘Outstanding Community Awareness & Selfless Service Award (Liver Health & Transplant)’ by Dr Sangeetha Health & Educational Group in 2022 and ‘Most Trusted Liver transplant Surgeon - Chennai’ by the Golden Aim Conference & Awards for Excellence & Leadership in Healthcare in 2023. Also, as the founding member of the Liver Transplant Society of India, Dr Karthik is currently engaged in developing a liver registry, which is the first of its kind in India, and is also providing transplant training through numerous fellowship programs with accreditation from the society.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Doctors

Dr Karthik believes in combining skill with compassion to create meaningful change in patients’ lives. Sharing advice for aspiring medical professionals, he says, “Liver transplantation offers a unique opportunity to transform lives. Always remember, it’s your compassion and empathy that distinguish an extraordinary doctor from an ordinary one. Treat every patient with the same level of care and respect, regardless of their socioeconomic background. And most importantly, extend help to those in need, especially the underprivileged, whenever possible”.