Living-Donor Transplant

A living-donor transplant is a surgical procedure where a healthy organ or part of an organ is donated by a living person to someone in need of a transplant.

Types of Living-Donor Transplants

• Kidney transplant: This is the most common type of living-donor transplant. One kidney is removed from the donor and transplanted into the recipient.
• Liver transplant: A portion of the liver is removed from the donor and transplanted into the recipient. The liver has the ability to regenerate, so both the donor and recipient can have a fully functioning liver after the surgery.
• Lung transplant: A lobe of lung is removed from the donor and transplanted into the recipient.
• Pancreas transplant: A portion of the pancreas is removed from the donor and transplanted into the recipient.
• Intestine transplant: A portion of the intestine is removed from the donor and transplanted into the recipient.

Benefits of Living-Donor Transplant

• Shorter waiting time: Recipients of living-donor transplants typically do not have to wait as long for a transplant as those waiting for a deceased-donor organ.
• Better match: Living donors can be matched more closely to the recipient, reducing the risk of rejection.
• Lower risk of disease transmission: There is less risk of transmitting diseases such as hepatitis or HIV from a living donor than from a deceased donor.
• Improved outcomes: Living-donor transplants have been shown to have better outcomes and longer survival rates compared to deceased-donor transplants.

Risks and Complications for the Donor

• Surgical risks: As with any surgery, there are risks of complications such as bleeding, infection, and reaction to anesthesia.
• Organ damage: There is a risk of damage to the donor's remaining organ or other organs during the surgery.
• Long-term health effects: Some donors may experience long-term health effects such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, or liver disease after donating an organ.

Risks and Complications for the Recipient

• Rejection: The recipient's immune system may reject the transplanted organ, which can be treated with immunosuppressive medications.
• Infection: There is a risk of infection after the transplant, particularly in the first few months.
• Organ failure: There is a risk that the transplanted organ may fail, requiring another transplant or dialysis.

Donor Evaluation and Selection

Potential living donors undergo a thorough evaluation to ensure they are healthy enough for surgery and that the donation will not put them at risk. The evaluation includes:

• Medical history and physical exam
• Laboratory tests, such as blood work and urinalysis
• Imaging studies, such as CT scans or MRI
• Psychological evaluation

Post-Transplant Care

After the transplant, both the donor and recipient require close monitoring and follow-up care to ensure a smooth recovery. This includes:

• Medications to prevent rejection and infection
• Regular laboratory tests and imaging studies
• Follow-up appointments with the transplant team