The number of patients suffering from liver-related diseases is continuously increasing. In severe cases, a liver transplant is the only cure. Until a few years ago, due to lacking technology, liver disease cure was a distant dream. But with technological advances, the patient not only can lead a long life, but the treatment is simpler and less dangerous too. One way of taking liver transplant in consideration is with the help of living donors, which in India is said to be a much safer procedure, says Liver Transplant expert Dr Vivek Vij from Fortis Hospital, Noida. Before we take this topic ahead, it is essential to understand that what is a living liver donation? Read below to know how liver transplant works with a live donor:
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Those donating a part of their liver, and are very much alive, is termed as a living donor. Here, a donor pledges a part of their liver to a transplant candidate or recipient. Wondering what happened to the living donor after donation a part of their liver? Dr Vij explains that the liver of the living donor regenerates with a few months of the surgery. It works the same way for the recipient too.
Living Donor Transplant In India
Taking a transplant from a living donor is very much a transparent process in India. For the same, there are various organisations and hospitals bridging the gap between the donors and the recipients. Apart from immediate relations, other transplants need state-appointed Authorisation committee’s approval. Before signing any document, the risk and success for both the involved parties are adequately explained. Listed below are some requirements for one to be a living liver donor:
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- The age of the donor should be in the bracket of 18-55.
- The weight of the donor should not be above 85 kgs to not get under the risk of fatty liver.
- Either same blood group or a universal donor is considered to become a living donor.
Screening medical examinations like CBC, serum creatinine, HCV antibody, chest X-ray, abdomen ultrasound, PT, LFTs, etc. are performed to check whether the living donor matches with the recipient.
If a person has donated some part of his liver, then he should take care of these five things:
- No heavy physical exercises
- Maintaining a healthy diet.
- Recommended is not to drive
- Keep in touch with the doctor
Need For Living Donors In India
The first-ever successful transplant was carried out in the year 1998. However, lack of donors and awareness about living liver transplant donations has been the biggest roadblock, even till today. Also, the record states that 70 per cent of liver transplant cases have been from living donors. The reason for this is that with dead donors, the time in delivering deceased donor organ, organ harvesting and transport and lack of management in of brain-dead donors are some problematic factors making the liver transplant a much tricky ordeal.
Liver disease is one such problem, which every other person in India suffers from. However, people adopt a variety of methods such as taking medicines, exercising, altering food, etc. to solve this. But when these methods do not affect health, then doctors recommend people to undergo transplants. Although many people want to become liver donors, they are unable to perform this virtuous work due to incomplete knowledge of this process.
With inputs from Dr Vivek Vij, Director and Chairman, Liver transplant and GI surgery, Fortis Hospital, Noida
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