While exact global figures are hard to pinpoint due to reporting variations, donor mortality in living liver donation (LLD) is a rare, serious complication, generally estimated to be below 1%, often cited around 0.1% to 0.3% for left lobe donation and slightly higher (around 0.2-0.5%) for more extensive right lobe donation, with causes including bleeding, infection, or liver failure, though long-term risks also exist, notes sources from the American Journal of Transplantation, the National Institutes of Health, the Transplant Journal, the NHS Organ Donation, and the American Surgical Association.
Risks Associated with Liver Donation
Even though live liver donation is considered a very safe operation, it involves major surgery and is associated with complications, which may include: Possible allergic reaction to anesthesia. Pain and discomfort. Nausea.
The donor mortality rate was 0.2% (53/10,116) with 15-year survival rate 98.8%. There were 2 deaths within 60 days of live liver donation during the study period.
Possible long-term risks of kidney donation may include high blood pressure (hypertension); reduced kidney function, which may be measured by large amounts of protein in the urine; hernia; organ impairment or failure that may lead to the need for dialysis or transplantation; or even death.
A living liver donor is someone who donates part of their liver while still alive. This is possible because the liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate. If you donate a portion of your liver (typically 40 to 60%), the remaining liver tissue begins growing almost immediately.
Living liver donors experienced moderate anxiety in the postoperative period. The postoperative pain intensity was moderate to severe. The postoperative pain intensity would improve over time, but anxiety would not. Pain management satisfaction was negatively associated with decision regret.
In 2023, there were 10,125 adult liver transplant recipients, another all-time high, representing a 71% increase in the past decade (Figure LI 33). Both deceased and living donation increased, with 9,545 deceased donor and 580 living donor liver transplants performed (Figure LI 34).
Liver. How long transplants last: Most patients (75%) will live at least 5 years after a liver transplant. Longest reported: more than 40 years.
88 % have never spoken about donation. The primary reasons for families' refusals to donate were: 40 % didn't know the will of dead. 40 % did not understand brain death. 36 % did not believe health system.
If the Heart Doesn't Stop Right Away
If the patient does not die within the medical time frame (usually 90 minutes), organ donation cannot take place because the organs are no longer be viable for transplant.
Between 2015 and 2021, 116 patients died on the liver transplant waiting list. The cause of cirrhosis was autoimmune disease in 42%of the patients, 75% were CHILD C and 39.7% had MELD >25.
Active alcohol or drug abuse is considered a contraindication to living liver donation and such donors should undergo addiction treatment prior to being considered for donation. 4. It is recommended donors demonstrate a period of abstinence from alcohol and drugs before and after donation.
People who wish to become living donors must undergo multiple tests and screenings to ensure that they're good candidates for the surgery. This is also to ensure that they're a match for the recipient and that the liver is viable enough for transplant.
These findings suggest no decrease in longevity in the first decade after liver donation. It has been argued, however, that this conclusion may be premature (22).
If your liver transplant was due to an alcohol-related disease, you must never drink alcohol again as you risk harming your transplanted liver. This also applies if alcohol was thought to have contributed to your liver disease, even if it was not the main cause.
Summary: Perioperative death and death within the first-year post-donation is a rare event with an estimated incidence of 0.09%, or about 1 in 1000 living donors.
How long will I have to wait to receive a transplant?
The earthly body will not enter into the heavenly inheritance (1 Corinthians 15:50). Based on these facts, there can be no justification for prohibiting organ donation and transplantation because of the need for a physically intact body prior to entering the resurrected state.
Vital Organs like heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and pancreas can be donated only in case of 'brain death'. However other tissues like corneas, heart valves, skin, bones etc can be donated only in case of natural death.
Immunosuppressive agents administered after LT can cause alterations in mental status, and concomitant drugs that inhibit their metabolism may exacerbate this complication. Corticosteroids can cause confusion, mood disturbances, manic states, or psychosis, which improve with dose reduction or drug discontinuation.
Your belly and side will be sore for the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. You also may have some numbness around the cut (incision) the doctor made. It is common to feel tired while you are healing. It may take 3 to 6 months or longer for your energy to fully return.
Do not eat:
Many of the tributes to Steve Jobs note with sadness that we lost this 56-year-old California native way too early. Donate Life California agrees and thanks the Donor Family who gave us all an extra two years of life with Steve following his successful liver transplant in 2009.
Spain is one of the best countries for liver transplant, known for its high organ donation rate and short waiting times. Spain is home to some of the best liver transplant hospitals worldwide, boasting high success rates and advanced surgical techniques.
Because most cases of terminal liver disease are related to heavy alcohol consumption (Senior et al. 1988), the majority of potential candidates for liver transplants are alcoholics.