Functional abdominal complaints occurred frequently in living liver donors after donation

Donor outcome after living donor liver transplantation has not been examined extensively with regard to postoperative abdominal complaints. We wanted to examine the extent and type of abdominal complaints after removal of a part of the liver and gallbladder in living donors as well as potential similarities with known disorders.

Twelve patients of mixed ethnicity, nine men, aged 18-45 years, and three women, aged 32-46 years, were enrolled in the study during a 3-year period and followed up at 6 and 12 months. Patients filled out questionnaires pertaining to functional abdominal complaints (FAC) using a recognized questionnaire, Rome II, as well as specific abdominal pain symptoms known from gallstone disease.

FAC occurred in 11 patients at 6 months and nine patients at 12 months while abdominal pain occurred in seven and six patients, respectively. Three patients had FAC but no abdominal pain while two patients had no complaints at 12 months. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was found in the majority of patients.

FAC and pain seemed to indicate a general postoperative disorder, of a psychosomatic character, and not connected with removal of part of the liver and gallbladder in particular. However, the occurrence of IBS and FD should merit attention, as they are known to impair quality of life.