Verified By Apollo Hepatologist June 12, 2019
6076By knowing the facts about liver transplants, you can make an informed decision about being a donor. Approximately 20,000 patents need liver transplants in India every year, yet only about 1500 patients actually receive a transplant. Several adult patients cannot survive the wait times for a deceased or dead donor liver. Because there is a long waiting list for those needing transplants, almost 50% of patients who need a new liver will die before one becomes available. While considering the facts about liver transplants, it should be remembered that liver is one of the few organs in the body that can grow back if a part of it is removed.
People who want to donate their liver undergo a complete medical examination to make sure their liver is healthy and that it is safe for them to donate. Safety is important for both the donor and the recipient. Medical evaluation is done to make sure that
The general tests performed as part of the evaluation include:
– Donor’s blood type (should match the recipient’s blood type)
– Liver and kidney function tests
– Complete blood counts
– Testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
– Thyroid test
– Tests for diabetes and cholesterol
An upper abdominal incision, either in the midline or in the shape of an inverted ‘L’ is made to expose the liver. The anatomy of the liver is re-checked, and an X-Ray of the bile ducts is taken (cholangiogram) to confirm patient safety. The donor’s liver is split into two parts. One part is removed for the transplant and then the wound is closed with staples or suture. Donors stay in the hospital for 7-10 days after surgery.
The first night after surgery is usually spent in the intensive care unit (ICU). The next day, the patient may be moved to a private room. The donor starts eating and moving around from the first day onwards. At discharge, the donor is quite normal with no pain, able to eat normally and do routine day-to-day activities.
Also Read : Liver Function Test Normal Range
As with any major surgery, there are risks. There is a 10% chance that a donor could have mild complications after the surgery. There is a 2-3% risk of a serious complication. Surgical problems include bleeding, infection, or bile leaks. Medical problems include chest infection, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Some rare heart and lung complications may be related to anesthesia. Proper assessment and selection of donors are the best way to avoid complications.
The risk of death in live liver donation is 1 in 500. Once donors recover and are discharged from hospital, complications usually do not happen. In the long term, the liver remnant grows back to its normal size and a donor is not at risk of developing any liver-related problem in the future. Rarely, donors can develop a hernia at the site of the surgery a few months or years later. This can be repaired surgically.
The donor is generally in hospital for 7-10 days. Rest and light work are advised for 4 weeks. Heavy work is restricted for 3 months. Most donors recover fully after the operation and can do normal activities within 2-3 months after the surgery. liver transplant surgeons will inform you when it will be safe to return to normal life.
Liver donors do not require any medications in the long term. Regular blood tests and ultrasound scans are advisable once every 3 months for the first year and thereafter, once every 6 months for the next 2 years.
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April 16, 2021