Candidates for Donating a Liver
Donors are usually family members or close friends
of a patient who has severe liver disease and
requires a liver transplant. Potential donors
should be healthy adults, generally aged 21 to
55, who are carefully evaluated and approved by
a multi-member team, including a hepatologist
(liver specialist), transplant surgeon, nurse
coordinator, psychiatrist and/or social worker,
to assure that they can tolerate the procedure,
both physically and emotionally.
Donors must have no significant medical problems
and no history of hepatitis, liver disease, or
substance abuse. They must be of the appropriate
size and the appropriate blood type to match the
recipient. Potential donors also must be able
to understand the procedure, its possible risks
and complications, and comply with long-term follow-up.
|
