Donor outcome in live-related liver transplantation

Live donor liver transplant has become an accepted, effective and lifesaving alternative to deceased donor transplant. The effect on donor and his safety remains a cause of concern. The donors are all in productive age and in our setting may have to go back to active service. This study is aimed at knowing the results of donor hepatectomies at our centre.

Data of all donor hepatectomies done at our centre from Apr 2007 to Jun 2013 reviewed. This included the preoperative workup, operative details and postoperative follow-up.

35 Donors of age between 20 and 50 years were taken up for procedure of which one was abandoned due to haemodynamic instability after intubation. In the 34 procedures done the percentage of the residual liver was at least 30%. No donor required blood transfusion. The overall complication rate was 26.5% which was stratified according to the modified Clavien classification of postoperative complications. There was transient rise of bilirubin and liver enzymes in all which returned back to normal with time. Infections were the most common cause of complication. All the donors had gone back to their work after a mean of 42 days after surgery. All donors were willing to donate again if needed.

Living donor liver transplant a widely practiced modality for end-stage liver disease. It is a safe procedure with good recovery and results. Our study shows that meticulous selection criteria and strict adherence to protocols leads to good outcome.