Living liver donation is a life-saving surgical procedure that involves transplanting a portion of a healthy liver from a living donor- as much as 60%- into a recipient whose liver is no longer working properly. It is a powerful way to save lives. Every day, people die waiting for a liver transplant.
 By becoming a liver donor, you can help reduce the number of people on the waiting list and give the gift of life to someone in need.
According to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), as of January 26, 2023, there were 10,673 people on the national waiting list for a liver transplant in the United States. The majority of liver transplants (about 60%) are performed on people with cirrhosis, a condition in which the liver becomes scarred and damaged. The most common causes of cirrhosis are hepatitis C and alcohol abuse.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR LIVING LIVER DONATION
Not everyone is eligible to be a living liver donor. Some of the criteria that are taken into consideration include:
Age: Donors must be 18 years or older.
Health: Donors must be in good overall health and have no medical history and present conditions that would contraindicate donation.
Blood compatibility: ABO blood group system must be matched between the donor and the recipient to minimize the risk of transplant rejection and other complications.
Psychological evaluation: it is an important step in the process of liver donation, as it is used to ensure that the potential donor is emotionally and mentally capable of deciding to donate,-and that they understand the risks and benefits of the procedure. The evaluation typically includes a thorough interview, as well as psychological testing, to assess the donor’s mental state, emotional well-being, and capacity for decision-making. The evaluation may also include a review of the donor’s medical history, including any mental health issues or past experiences related to organ donation.
The goal of the psychological evaluation is to ensure that the donor is making an informed and voluntary decision to donate, and that they are emotionally and mentally prepared for the procedure.
Size: Donors must have a body mass index (BMI) that is within a certain range and must have enough liver tissue to safely donate a portion.
Relationship: Donors must have a close relationship with the recipient, such as being a parent, child, spouse, or sibling.
HOW TO BECOME A LIVING LIVER DONOR
If you are interested in becoming a living liver donor, the first step is to contact a transplant center and undergo a thorough evaluation to determine if you meet the criteria for living liver donation. This evaluation will include a physical examination, blood tests, and psychological evaluation. If you are a suitable candidate, you will then be placed on a list of potential donors and will be contacted when a suitable recipient is found.
THE LIVING LIVER DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION PROCESS
The process of living liver donation begins with a thorough evaluation of the potential donor to ensure that they are a suitable candidate. This includes a physical examination, medical history, and tissue typing blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies such as colonoscopy, x-rays, CT scan, and ultrasound to assess the liver’s size, shape, and function. If the potential donor is considered suitable, they will then undergo surgery to remove a portion of their liver. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 4-6 hours.
The surgery is typically performed using laparoscopic techniques, which involve making several small incisions in the abdomen rather than one large incision. This results in a faster recovery time for the donor and less scarring.
The liver is a regenerative organ, which means that the remaining portion of the donor’s liver will grow back to its normal size within a few weeks. The donated portion of the liver will then be transplanted into the recipient.
BENEFITS OF LIVER DONATION
SAVING LIFE
One of the most important benefits of liver donation is the ability to save a person’s life. Many people who require a liver transplant are suffering from end-stage liver disease and without a transplant, they would not survive. Not only does the donation save the life of the recipient, but it also has been shown to have positive effects on the mental and physical health of the donor.
ADVANCING MEDICAL RESEARCH
Here are a few examples of how a liver donation can benefit medical research:
Understanding liver disease: Donated livers can be used to study the causes, progression, and treatments of various liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver cancer.
Developing new treatments: Research on donated livers can lead to the development of new medications and therapies for liver diseases.
Improving transplantation: Studying donated livers can help improve the success rate of liver transplants and reduce the risk of complications.
Advancement in regenerative medicine: The ability to stimulate the regeneration of liver cells from a donated liver can lead to new treatments for liver failure.
PERSONAL SATISFACTION
Another benefit of liver donation is the opportunity for the donor to make a meaningful impact on someone else’s life. Many donors report feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment from the knowledge that they have helped save someone else’s life.
RISKS AND CONSIDERATIONS
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with liver donation. These include bleeding, infection, painful incision, the possibility of blood clots, and complications related to the anesthesia. However, the risks of living liver donation are considered to be low and the vast majority of donors have a successful outcome.
It is important to note that liver donation is a major decision and should not be taken lightly. Potential donors should carefully consider their health and well-being before deciding to donate.
The recovery time for liver donation can vary depending on several factors, including the individual’s overall health, the type of surgical procedure used, and the specific condition of the liver. In general, however, the liver donation is a major surgical procedure that requires a significant period of recovery.
The recovery time for living donors is typically longer than for deceased donors, as the remaining portion of the liver will regrow to full function within a few weeks. Living donors typically spend around 5-10 days in the hospital after the surgery and may require up to six weeks of recovery at home before they can return to work or normal activities.
Physical restrictions will be in place during the recovery period, to avoid any physical stress on the liver, like heavy lifting, and some medications may need to be avoided. The donor will be in contact with the medical team to monitor any symptoms of complications.
It’s important to note that each person’s recovery time may be different and the physician will give a more accurate estimate based on the individual cases.
