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Liver transplantation has been accepted as a life-saving treatment and standard of care for many forms of end-stage liver disease since the early 1980s. Initially, all liver transplants used livers from deceased donors. As the number of patients waiting for transplants began to rise, it became clear that the number of deceased donors could not meet the nation’s demand for livers. To meet these demands, living donor liver transplantation was developed and adult-to-child living donor liver transplantation began. It was later expanded to allow adults to donate to other adults. Technological advances in liver surgery and the liver’s incredible ability to regenerate have made this surgery a life-saving reality.
What are the benefits of living donor liver transplantation?
More than 17,500 patients are waiting to receive a liver transplant in the United States. More than 6,000 liver transplants are performed each year, but at least 1,700 patients die each year while on the waiting list. A liver is assigned to a patient based on the extent of the patient’s disease. meld score), sicker patients are prioritized. Living donation gives patients the option of transplantation before they become seriously ill (i.e., regardless of their MELD score), significantly reducing the wait time for a liver. Currently, her median MELD score at the time of transplant is so high that even patients with MELD exception points may have to wait even longer to receive a high-quality liver. Living donor liver transplantation is an excellent option for patients with liver cancer, primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, or for patients with symptoms of liver disease and her MELD between the ages of 11 and 24.
Liver donor transplantation is an elective surgery that is planned well in advance and has a very short cold ischemia time (the amount of time the liver is artificially preserved without blood flowing to it).liver from living donorThey are usually of excellent quality, as donors are extensively evaluated and only allowed to donate if they are in very good health. Living donations do more than just save the recipient’s life. It also frees up livers for patients who are on the waiting list and don’t have that option.
Can I become a living donor?
If a liver transplant candidate is eligible to receive a living donor transplant, a family member, relative, or close friend may consider receiving the donation. If you are interested in becoming a living liver donor but do not have a specific recipient in mind, our center offers non-directive liver donation, where donors can donate anonymously to candidates on the waiting list. doing. There are several requirements to become a living donor. If you meet the criteria If you are interested in living donor liver transplantation, please call 410-614-2989.
Living liver donation criteria:
- Must be healthy both physically and mentally
- Must be between 18 and 60 years old
- Body mass index (BMI) must be less than 32
- Recipient’s blood type must match
- Must not contain the following:
- Serious organ disease (heart disease, kidney disease, etc.)
- Ongoing malignant tumor (cancer)
- hepatitis
- Active or chronic infection
- Abuse of active substances
Living donors also need a strong support system to rely on for their emotional and physical needs during recovery. We have a team of highly qualified social workers who will work with you as you create a care plan for your recovery.
Finally, organ donation by a living person must be completely voluntary. Donors should be free from the pressure and guilt that comes with donating, not accepting donations. In 1984, the U.S. Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act, which made the buying and selling of organs illegal.
