Adult to Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant
More than 15,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for liver transplants according to UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing.
However, only 4500 - 5000 cadaver donor livers become available each year, and more than 1700 people in the US die each year awaiting a donor liver.
Since there is no dialysis for liver failure as there is for kidney failure, patients must either get a transplant or die.
Increasingly, physicians are looking to living donors to fill the need for donor livers.
Because the liver is able to regenerate, a portion of a living donor's liver can be removed and transplanted to replace the liver of a person who is in an advanced stage of liver failure.
Both the donor's remaining portion and the transplanted portion can grow back to the size of a full liver in about 6-8 weeks.
Adult living donor transplants lesson the waiting time and likelihood of complications for the recipient who might have to wait a year or longer for a cadaver liver to become available.
The surgery date can be shifted to insure the best possible health and outcome for both donor and recipient, which is not possible with a cadaver donor.
Usually adult donors are members of the recipient's family, although that is not a requirement.
Most medical centers require that donors be over 18 but under 50 years of age, although some will work with donors up to age 60.
The first requirement is that the donor must have a blood type compatible with that of the recipient.
Also important is that the donor and recipient be of comparable size and stature.
Donors must be in good physical condition, and cannot be pregnant at the time of their donation.
Further donor testing may include blood samples, a chest x-ray, EKG, volumetric abdominal CT scan, arteriogram, abdominal ultrasound, and liver biopsy.
Other tests may be required based on the general health and age of the donor.
Donors meet with a transplant nurse who will explain the procedure and answer any questions the donor may have about the surgery, hospital stay, and recovery.
Living donors are also evaluated by a social worker or psychiatrist who explore the feelings and fears the donor may have, and to ensure they are emotionally prepared to be a living donor.
There is little to no cost for the donor.
Tests, surgery, and hospitalization are charged to the recipient's insurance or Medicare.
The donor may have to pay for antibiotics and pain medication following their hospital stay.
The donor will miss 6 to 8 weeks of work, however, so loss of income is a need that the donor must consider in making the decision to donate.
Becoming a living donor is an exceptional act of love, mixed with responsibility.
If you have a friend or loved one in need of a liver transplant, take time to become fully educated on the process so you can make a decision for donation with confidence.
However, only 4500 - 5000 cadaver donor livers become available each year, and more than 1700 people in the US die each year awaiting a donor liver.
Since there is no dialysis for liver failure as there is for kidney failure, patients must either get a transplant or die.
Increasingly, physicians are looking to living donors to fill the need for donor livers.
Because the liver is able to regenerate, a portion of a living donor's liver can be removed and transplanted to replace the liver of a person who is in an advanced stage of liver failure.
Both the donor's remaining portion and the transplanted portion can grow back to the size of a full liver in about 6-8 weeks.
Adult living donor transplants lesson the waiting time and likelihood of complications for the recipient who might have to wait a year or longer for a cadaver liver to become available.
The surgery date can be shifted to insure the best possible health and outcome for both donor and recipient, which is not possible with a cadaver donor.
Usually adult donors are members of the recipient's family, although that is not a requirement.
Most medical centers require that donors be over 18 but under 50 years of age, although some will work with donors up to age 60.
The first requirement is that the donor must have a blood type compatible with that of the recipient.
Also important is that the donor and recipient be of comparable size and stature.
Donors must be in good physical condition, and cannot be pregnant at the time of their donation.
Further donor testing may include blood samples, a chest x-ray, EKG, volumetric abdominal CT scan, arteriogram, abdominal ultrasound, and liver biopsy.
Other tests may be required based on the general health and age of the donor.
Donors meet with a transplant nurse who will explain the procedure and answer any questions the donor may have about the surgery, hospital stay, and recovery.
Living donors are also evaluated by a social worker or psychiatrist who explore the feelings and fears the donor may have, and to ensure they are emotionally prepared to be a living donor.
There is little to no cost for the donor.
Tests, surgery, and hospitalization are charged to the recipient's insurance or Medicare.
The donor may have to pay for antibiotics and pain medication following their hospital stay.
The donor will miss 6 to 8 weeks of work, however, so loss of income is a need that the donor must consider in making the decision to donate.
Becoming a living donor is an exceptional act of love, mixed with responsibility.
If you have a friend or loved one in need of a liver transplant, take time to become fully educated on the process so you can make a decision for donation with confidence.
