The liver turns out to be a crucial part of the human body. The essential functions that it performs include detoxifying the blood coming from the digestive tract. It is a significant yet delicate organ and rests protected behind the rib cages.
But, what if anytime, such an important organ stops working? Doctors have found that prolonged liver disease can cause the absolute failure of the organ. So, if you would like to learn more about liver transplants, go to the website https://insulinfree.org/.
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Introduction to Living Liver Donation
Liver failure is a situation in which the liver stops functioning at all. The situation is considered significantly critical and must be dealt with by trained doctors. A liver transplant might be considered considering the severity of the condition.
The concept of living liver donors has made this process easy and less time consuming for the patients. Here are some aspects that you should know about a living liver donor.
Your liver grows back on its own
The liver is an incredible organ of the human body since it possesses the ability to grow back. A living donor is a person who donates one of their livers to aid the needs of the patient. However, with the regenerative properties of the organ, the donor and the recipient, both can stay healthy and fit within a few months.
It saves time and lives
A living liver donor can be a person from your family. In most cases, the patient already knows their donor. People spend years waiting for a total liver transplant and bear the agony, thus getting in touch with a living donor is easier and also saves time.
Your blood and your donor’s blood group must be compatible
Not only does a donor need to be healthy in order to donate but also requires to go through a series of blood tests to determine compatibility between both individuals’ blood. The patient’s safety is not something to be compromised; hence, utmost care should be taken while choosing a living Liver donor.
Unbelievable change can be seen
It is remarkable how a patient bounces back from what he was before the illness. Living donors are bestowing lives to people who almost lose hope in life. Doctors have seen notable changes in people after the surgery. They seem healthier, fitter, and younger.
Liver donation criterion & prerequisites
Several aspects should be considered if an individual is willing to donate a Liver for ensuring a smooth & successful transplant.
Below are a few measures:
- A donor must be willing to donate and his/her age should be from 18-60 years of age.
- Should be willing to go through certain medical tests in order to be eligible for donation.
- Must be related to the patient in some way; the donor can be an acquaintance too.
- The donor must be in a sound psychological and physical state.
- Compatibility of blood, as said above, is imperative.
- Should have a properly functioning Liver.
- An overweight donor is not accepted.
- The donor should avoid consuming alcohol until the healing process is complete.
Pros and cons of living-donor
Though a living Liver donation is pivotal in saving lives, there are a few complications associated with as well.
Here is a list of the pros and cons of a living donor.
- The patient and the donor will both grow back their livers based on their respective regenerative qualities. However, there might also be obstacles, such as blood clots and bleedings.
- A living liver donation is a much easier procedure and does not require a lot of time, but it might also put the patient in a position to take medicines throughout his/her life.
- Finding a living donor that matches all the underlying conditions can be difficult sometimes.
Liver transplants v/s Cadaveric transplant
The Cadaveric transplant is used when there is a case of nonresectable early hepatocellular carcinoma. Since cadaveric organs are scarce, doctors are prompted to take help from living donors who are readily available. This enables doctors to minimize the pain of the patient.
The liver is integral for a human being for smooth functioning; thus, the delicate organ must be taken care of at all times. Sometimes external protection from the rib cage is not enough due to the liver lacking protection from the inside, and this is where a living donor comes into the scenario.
Learn more about liver donation and related laws, on this website: www.acemaxsblog.com
