There are several phases in the donation process, includingevaluation,surgery and recovery. It is important for donors to be aware of therisks associated with liver donationand all that the donation process entails. Your safety throughout the donation process is a paramount goal of our living donor program. You will have aliving donor advocate, and your team can even connect you to atransplant mentor—someone who has previously donated and can share their personal experience with you.
Evaluation for a Living Donor
The evaluation helps determine if you are an appropriate match with your recipient and if you are medically fit to donate. In the first stage of evaluation, you’ll undergo tissue typing and lab screening and complete aliver donor questionnaire.
Comprehensive testing may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Laboratory blood tests
- Urine test
- Pap smear
- Mammogram(for women over age 40)
- Colonoscopy (if over age 50)
- Echocardiogram
If these studies are satisfactory, you’ll next meet with the live donor team to discuss the procedure and its risks. The physicians and surgeons will review your results, and additional testing, such as X-rays,electrocardiograms, or radiologic testing, is performed. This testing will include two days of appointments and diagnostic testing. During this time, you will also be evaluated by a psychologist, social worker, donor advocate and nurse coordinator. Further testing may be required based on the findings of your evaluation.
Once the work-up is completed, your case will be presented to themultidisciplinary live donor transplant team. This team includes surgeons, hepatologists, psychologists, donor advocates, social workers and nurse coordinators. They represent you and make decisions that are in your best interest regarding donation.
It is important to note that, as a donor, you will have a different transplant team from your recipient. Your team cares for you exclusively. At the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center, organ donors are given the same considerations and respect as all of our patients.
Note: At any time during the evaluation process, up until the very moment of surgery, you are entitled to change your mind about the donation. This decision is made with your physicians and is kept completely confidential.
Surgery and Recovery for a Living Donor
After a thorough evaluation, if you are approved for donation, surgery will be scheduled. Unless an urgent transplant is needed, surgery is usually scheduled four to six weeks in advance. Typically, a liver donor spends approximately seven days in the hospital, and will have an additional six to eight weeks of recovery time. Donors who are from out of town (greater than a two-hour drive) should plan on spending an extra two to three weeks in town after they are discharged from the hospital.
During the early recovery period, you will experience some pain and discomfort from your incision, which is usually well controlled with pain medications. You are monitored very closely early after surgery for all the appropriate signs of recovery and liver regeneration. Once your pain is well controlled, you are eating and drinking well and you are up and walking around without too much difficulty, you are discharged from the hospital.
After discharge, you are advised not to lift anything heavier than 20 pounds for at least six weeks. You are instructed not to drive while on sedating medications, which are used at least two to three weeks after discharge. You are encouraged to walk several times a day. If you have small children, you may need initial help in caring for them. Depending on the type of work you do, you may be able to return to work six to eight weeks after surgery. Your liver will begin to regenerate immediately after surgery and will be back to normal size in six to eight weeks. Your recovery after discharge will be closely monitored with routine clinic visits and laboratory tests.
If you are interested in becoming a living donor, call 410-614-2989 ordownload our living donor candidate packet.
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
- Wound infection
- Bleeding that may require transfusion
- Blood clots
- Pneumonia
- Bile leakage, bile duct problems
- Hernia
- Scar tissue formation
In rare instances liver failure, which may require transplantation, and death may occur.
As an expert in the field of organ donation and transplantation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to shed light on the critical phases outlined in the provided article. My understanding extends beyond the surface, allowing me to delve into the intricacies of the donation process, emphasizing the importance of donor awareness and safety.
The article discusses several key concepts related to living liver donation, encompassing evaluation, surgery, recovery, and associated risks. Let's break down each element:
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Evaluation for a Living Donor:
- Tissue Typing and Lab Screening: These initial assessments help determine the compatibility between the donor and recipient.
- Comprehensive Testing: This includes a range of medical examinations such as laboratory blood tests, urine tests, pap smear, mammogram (for women over 40), colonoscopy (if over 50), and echocardiogram.
- Psychosocial Evaluation: Donors undergo evaluation by a psychologist, social worker, donor advocate, and nurse coordinator to ensure mental and emotional preparedness for donation.
- Multidisciplinary Live Donor Transplant Team: This team, comprising surgeons, hepatologists, psychologists, donor advocates, social workers, and nurse coordinators, evaluates the donor's case collectively.
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Surgery and Recovery for a Living Donor:
- Surgery Scheduling: Following approval for donation, surgery is scheduled, usually four to six weeks in advance.
- Hospital Stay: A typical stay of seven days in the hospital post-surgery, with an additional six to eight weeks of recovery.
- Post-Operative Instructions: Donors are advised on activities, including lifting restrictions, driving limitations, and the importance of walking during the recovery period.
- Return to Normal Activities: Depending on the nature of the donor's work, a return to work is possible six to eight weeks after surgery.
- Liver Regeneration: The article notes that the liver begins to regenerate immediately after surgery and typically returns to normal size within six to eight weeks.
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Risks Associated with Liver Donation:
- The article provides a comprehensive list of potential complications, emphasizing that even though live liver donation is generally safe, it involves major surgery and poses risks such as allergic reactions, pain, wound infection, bleeding, blood clots, pneumonia, bile leakage, hernia, scar tissue formation, liver failure (in rare instances, requiring transplantation), and death.
The article consistently underscores the paramount goal of ensuring the safety of the donor throughout the entire process, emphasizing that donors have a dedicated transplant team exclusively caring for their well-being. It also highlights the confidential nature of the decision-making process, allowing donors to change their minds at any point until the surgery.
If you have any further questions or seek additional insights into living liver donation, feel free to ask.
