Live Liver Donation
Is your Liver healthy?
Do you know what happens in case of liver failure?
Did you know 200,000 people die from the unavailability of the liver in India?
Do you know 85% of liver donors are living donors?
How to keep your liver healthy
Maintain a healthy weight – One of the fastest-growing liver disease non-alcoholic fatty liver can affect if you are overweight or obese.
Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum – Alcohol destroys liver cells. Consuming a lot of alcohol can lead to liver failure.
Eat a balanced diet – Stay hydrated. Eat food with a lot of fibers. Avoid eating red meat. Avoid high-calorie meals.
Exercise regularly – Regular exercise helps burn triglycerides and can reduce liver fat.
#Liver transplantation
Liver transplantation is a surgical procedure where an unhealthy liver that does not function properly is removed and replaced with a healthy liver, in a cadaver #liver transplant and a portion of a healthy liver, in a live #liver transplant.
Live #liver transplantation
Live liver transplantation is a process when a portion of a living person's liver is removed and then transplanted into a donee's body. The donor must be a healthy human who qualifies to be a donor after clearing various tests.
In live liver donation, a part of the healthy liver is removed through surgery and transplanted. It is a safe process done in the hospital where the donor stays in the hospital for 7-10 days then rests at home for 2-3 weeks. During this time the liver grows back to its normal size and the donor is as well as before the surgery.
Who needs a #liver transplant?
In the case of liver failure or people with liver cancer require a #liver transplant. Liver failure may happen slowly or over a short period of time. Major causes of liver failure are:
- Hepatitis B and C
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Fatty liver disease - fat builds up in the liver causing inflammation
- Excessive iron or copper build-up in the liver
- Biliary diseases
Complications of transplantation surgery
Apart from the risk of complicated surgery, there lies a great risk involved in the drugs to avoid the donor's liver in the body of the donee. Other complications of surgery are:
- Bile duct leaks or shrinking of the bile duct
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Rejection or failure of a donated liver
- Infection
- Seizure
Anti-rejection medication side effects
- Headaches
- Bone thinning
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
Pre #donation evaluation
Pre #donation evaluation tests require the donor to go through several tests, it takes 7-10 days but in some cases, it may take several weeks. The screening tests recommended for potential donors are CBC, LFTs, Serum creatinine, PT, HBs, HCV antibody, HIV test, Ultrasound of the abdomen, chest X-ray, CT scan, blood tests, electrocardiogram(EKG). The evaluation is done in four phases:
Phase 1: This phase involves liver function test and liver fat estimation
Phase 2: Liver volumes and anatomy of liver blood vessels are tested in this phase.
Phase 3: Tests are done to evaluate other organs system in this phase.
Phase 4: Other tests are done by specialists.
These tests may end up losing potential donors but it prevents unsafe transplantation. The willingness of both the recipient and donor is of utmost importance and in case of any weakness in this aspect, they are counseled during the evaluation.
Who qualifies to be a live liver donor?
? A willing person between the age of 18 – 60
? A person willing for pre-donation evaluation, surgery, and recovery process
?A person of sound health and psychological condition
? A person with a healthy kidney and liver
? A family member, friend, colleague, close acquaintance, or a person with the permission of the Authorization Committee
? A person of compatible blood type
? A person willing to abstain from alcohol till recovery
? A person who is not overweight or weighs between 50-85 kg
? A person who clears all tests
Cadaver liver #donation
Cadaver liver #donation or deceased liver #donation is an alternative process of liver transplantation. In the case of non-availability of a living liver donor, you are presented with cadaver liver #donation. In this method, the liver of a brain-dead person is procured and transplanted. One thing to keep in mind is that the consent of the deceased person’s family is essential before procuring the liver, even in cases where the deceased has taken a pledge or expressed his wish to be an organ donor in writing.
The downfall of cadaver liver #donation is a long waiting list. Another important thing that is often neglected is that only a brain dead person's liver can be procured. The number of brain deaths in India is around 15,000 – 20,000 whereas there are 200,000 people who die due to liver diseases. So even if we transplant each deceased person's liver this only saves 10% of people.
The solution?
If cadaver liver #donation can not solve more than 10% of the problem then where does that leave us? Living liver donation. Live liver donation is the catholicon because our liver regenerates with 2-3 weeks.
Post-transplant diet & nutrition
- Eating at least five serving of fruits and vegetables
- Stay away from alcohol
- Eat low fat or fat-free dairy products
- Drinking adequate water
- Eat wholesome food and avoid consuming processed food
Post-transplant exercise
- Walk as much as you can
- Swimming, cycling can be continued too but be sure to stay connected with your health care doctor
- Light exercises can be done
Myths about #liver donation
- If you’re in a hospital and the hospital knows that you are designated as a donor, they won’t try to save you.
Fact: A person has to be declared brain dead in order to be an organ donor, also, the transplant team is notified only after approval is received from the deceased’s family.
- The deceased's family is charged for organ removal.
Fact: The organ recipient is charged for organ removal and transplant expenses.
- A history of illness will prevent you from organ donation.
Fact: There are very few diseases that prevent you from being an organ donor.
- I’m too old for organ donation.
Fact: There is no set age limit for organ donation.
- If I’m an organ donor I can’t donate my body for scientific research.
Fact: You can donate your body for scientific research after donating your organs.
- Organ donation is against my religion.
Fact: All religions support and promote organ donation as an act of kindness.
- If I donate my organs I can’t have an open-casket funeral.
Fact: After organ donation, the body is treated with care and as the body is covered in a casket it does not pose any problem.
Conclusion
The liver is a vital organ of our body. Its life-saving nature can be seen in the fact that every year around 2,00,000 people die due to the non-availability of this organ. Even though liver transplantation is solving this problem, it won’t end. We can prevent people from dying due to liver failure and diseases by taking care of our livers and the other important measure is promoting live liver donation. Right now 85% of liver donors are live liver donors however, we still have a long way ahead. This a time to break the common notions and myths about liver transplantation and educate people.
About
BLOOM INDIA is an online platform for blood, plasma & organ donation and donee can connect with the community of donors. With the outbreak of the severe COVID-19 Pandemic, Bloom India has made a provision for plasma donation also. It is giving an opportunity for citizens to pledge to be a donor, be it blood donation, organ donation, or plasma donation. Thus, Bloom India is spreading the motto #Leave a legacy and #Right blood, Right time and Right place.
Currently, Bloom India has a network of donors across India and especially from Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad registered on our platform. Bloom India has taken this initiative and urges every citizen to join hands with it for this noble cause. Interested donors can register themselves on the Bloom India platform as donors by providing their details.
Once someone pledges to be a donor, Bloom India provides the donors a Privilege Card. This Privilege Card can be redeemed at nearby Pharmacies, Diagnostics centers, Satvik Restaurants, online or offline stores, and thus the donor can avail discount on his/her purchase.
In a nutshell, Bloom India is on a mission to increase a national network with humanitarian interests. Do pledge at this platform because of every single donor and every single life matters!!
References
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/transplant-update/2019/march/myths-about-organ-donation
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liver-transplant/about/pac-20384842