What makes a liver donor match

Finally, the donation of any organ by a living person must be completely voluntary. Donors should be free from any pressure or guilt associated with the donation and cannot be paid for their donation. In , the U. Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act , which made it illegal to buy or sell organs. If you are interested in becoming a living liver donor, please complete a candidate profile. Skip Navigation. What are the benefits of live donor liver transplant?

Can I be a living donor? Criteria for live donation of a liver: Must be in good physical and mental health Must be between the ages of 18 and 60 Must have a body mass index BMI that is less than 35 Must have a compatible blood type with the recipient Must be free from the following: Significant organ diseases i.

Ongoing malignancy cancer Hepatitis Active or chronic infections Active substance abuse Living donors also need a strong support system to rely on for emotional and physical needs during recovery.

Doctors usually select recipients who are 55 years old or older and who aren't expected to develop symptoms before the end of their natural life expectancy. After your transplant, doctors will monitor you for signs of the condition. Doctors will evaluate you to determine if you may be a candidate for a domino liver transplant or if another treatment option would be more appropriate for your condition.

Whether you're waiting for a donated liver or your transplant surgery is already scheduled, work to stay healthy. Being healthy and as active as you're able can make it more likely you'll be ready for the transplant surgery when the time comes.

It may also help speed your recovery from surgery. Work to:. Stay in touch with your transplant team, and let them know of any significant changes in your health. If you're waiting for a donated liver, make sure the transplant team knows how to reach you at all times. Keep your packed hospital bag handy, and make arrangements for transportation to the transplant center in advance. Within a couple of months after living-donor liver surgery, the donor's liver typically grows back to its normal size, volume and capacity.

If you're notified that a liver from a deceased donor is available, you'll be asked to come to the hospital immediately. Your health care team will admit you to the hospital, and you'll undergo an exam to make sure you're healthy enough for the surgery. Liver transplant surgery is done using general anesthesia, so you'll be sedated during the procedure.

The transplant surgeon makes a long incision across your abdomen to access your liver. The location and size of your incision varies according to your surgeon's approach and your own anatomy. The surgeon removes the diseased liver and places the donor liver in your body.

Then the surgeon connects your blood vessels and bile ducts to the donor liver. Surgery can take up to 12 hours, depending on your situation. Once your new liver is in place, the surgeon uses stitches and staples to close the surgical incision. You're then taken to the intensive care unit to begin recovery. If you're receiving a liver transplant from a living donor, your surgery will be scheduled in advance.

Surgeons first operate on the donor, removing the portion of the liver for transplant. Then surgeons remove your diseased liver and place the donated liver portion in your body. They then connect your blood vessels and bile ducts to the new liver. The transplanted liver portion in your body and the portion left behind in the donor's body regenerate rapidly, reaching normal volume within a several weeks.

Expect six months or more recovery time before you'll feel fully healed after your liver transplant surgery. You may be able to resume normal activities or go back to work a few months after surgery. How long it takes you to recover may depend on how ill you were before your liver transplant.

Your chances of a successful liver transplant and long-term survival depend on your particular situation. That means that for every people who receive a liver transplant for any reason, about 75 will live for five years and 25 will die within five years.

People who receive a liver from a living donor often have better short-term survival rates than those who receive a deceased-donor liver. But comparing long-term results is difficult because people who have a living donor usually have a shorter wait for a transplant and aren't as sick as those who receive a deceased-donor liver. Survival rates among liver transplant recipients also vary among U. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.

It's normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed while waiting for a transplant or to have fears about rejection, returning to work or other issues after a transplant. Seeking the support of friends and family members can help you cope during this stressful time.

Your transplant team can also assist you with other useful resources and coping strategies throughout the transplant process, such as:. After your liver transplant, it is especially important to eat a well-balanced diet to help you recover and keep your liver healthy. Your transplant team includes a nutrition specialist dietitian who can discuss your nutrition and diet needs and answer any questions you have after your transplant.

To prevent damaging your new liver, it's important to avoid alcohol. Do not drink alcoholic beverages or use alcohol in cooking. Your dietitian will also provide you with several healthy food options and ideas to use in your nutrition plan. Your dietitian's recommendations may include:. Exercise and physical activity should be a regular part of your life after a liver transplant to continue improving your overall physical and mental health.

Soon after your transplant, you should walk as much as you can. Then, depending on your progress, you can start incorporating more physical activity into your daily life. Walking, bicycling, swimming, low-impact strength training and other physical activities you enjoy can all be a part of a healthy, active lifestyle after transplant.

But be sure to check in with your transplant team before starting or changing your post-transplant exercise routine. Liver transplant care at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview The liver Open pop-up dialog box Close. The liver The liver is your largest internal organ.

Living-donor liver transplant. Normal liver vs. Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Living liver donor procedure Open pop-up dialog box Close. Living-donor liver organ regeneration Open pop-up dialog box Close. Living-donor liver organ regeneration Within a couple of months after living-donor liver surgery, the donor's liver typically grows back to its normal size, volume and capacity.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Donor Eligibility Potential donors must meet certain basic requirements to be considered.

Donors should be: 18 to 60 years of age In good health with no major medical or psychiatric illnesses A nonsmoker for at least six weeks before surgery Off birth control pills for at least six weeks before surgery Able to understand and comply with instructions for surgery preparation and recovery If live donation is a feasible option for a patient, we will perform a donor evaluation after the recipient's testing is complete.

Donor Evaluation Once your blood type is confirmed, you'll receive a detailed confidential questionnaire about your family medical history, lifestyle and other information.

Tests include: Lab work CT abdomen with IV contrast MRI abdomen with IV contrast Echocardiogram Treadmill stress test males over 35 years old, females over 45 years old, active smokers within five years, and patients with hyperlipidemia, diabetes or hypertension Medical history and physical Independent living donor advocate and social worker consultation Psychiatric consultation depending on medical history A doctor who is not a member of the transplant team will complete your medical evaluation and serve as the "donor advocate" doctor throughout your surgery and recovery.

Clinics we work with. Recommended reading. After Living Liver Donor Surgery Learn what to expect following Living Liver Donor Surgery, including length of hospitalization, scarring, pain management, when you can eat and more. Background on Living Liver Donors Are you interested in becoming a liver donor?

Evaluation to be a Living Liver Donor Find frequently asked questions regarding evaluation for becoming a living liver donor including, the purpose of the evaluation process and more. Liver Transplant Glossary Use this Liver Transplant Glossary to help you understand some of the esoteric language and terms including, Angiogram, Echocardiogram, Sclerotherapy, and more. Our experts Nancy L. Christopher E.

Ryutaro Hirose MD Organ transplant surgeon. John P. Roberts MD Organ transplant surgeon. Peter G. Stock MD Organ transplant surgeon.