Living Liver Donor Evaluation
The living liver donation process begins with
a simple health survey to screen potential donors.
This is followed by numerous tests needed to confirm
that both the donor and the recipient are a good
match. Many initial potential liver donors are
inappropriate candidates for a variety of reasons,
including blood type, medical issues, and psychosocial
issues.
The evaluation takes place in several steps.
First, members of the transplant team, including
a transplant surgeon, hepatologist and a nurse
coordinator, meet to discuss the patient's options
regarding liver transplantation. If a potential
donor is identified, then several tests are necessary
(Table 1). Much of this screening work can be
done close to the donor's home.
Table 1: Required Donor Studies
|
Study/Procedure |
Reason for test |
| Blood
type |
To
determine appropriate match for recipient
|
| Blood
tests |
To
look for abnormal liver results, screen
for previous exposure to hepatitis, find
out blood count before donating blood |
| Chest
x-ray |
To
look for abnormal results |
| Electrocardiogram |
To
look for abnormal results |
| Physical
exam |
To
ensure donor health |
| MRI |
To
evaluate liver size and look for abnormalities
|
| Angiogram |
To
evaluate the anatomy (roadmap) of the blood
vessels to the liver |
| Liver
biopsy |
To
determine if liver tissue is favorable for
donation |
Once the above evaluation is complete, a surgery
date is chosen. Potential liver donors donate
one to two units of their own blood to have available
for the surgical procedure. Prior to the actual
operation, the donor will once again meet with
one of the transplant surgeons, to go over the
procedure in detail and to obtain surgical consent.
At this time, the donor will also speak with an
anesthesiologist.
At any point during the evaluation, information
may be discovered that would make the potential
donor a poor candidate for transplantation. If
this occurs, the work-up will be stopped and the
potential donor, their family, and the recipient
will be informed. The potential donor may withdraw
from evaluation at any time.
|
