Long-term follow-up of living liver donors

Abstract

Objectives: At our center living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) represents 4% of all transplantations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to clarify the current well-being of the donors, their experiences of being a donor, as well as the regenerative capacity of the liver.

Patients and method: Thirty-six healthy subjects donated a part of their liver between 1996 and 2007. Thirty-four patients participated in the study and completed our questionnaire. We performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver, physical examination, and blood chemistry.

Results: Twenty-three subjects had donated the left lateral segment and 11 the right lobe. Their hospital stay ranged from 5-15 days (median, 10). Mostly, the sick-leave period was 8-12 weeks and time for recovery was 3-6 months. Long-term problems were heartburn, abdominal discomfort, incisional hernia, and fatigue. Twenty-six (76.5%) subjects viewed the donation experience as entirely positive; no one was regretful. Liver function tests were normal. The MRI data at follow-up of 13 left lateral segment and 11 right lobe grafts showed recovery of the total liver volume to almost preoperative values, mean 1522 ± 241 mL versus 1552 ± 219 mL, respectively.

Conclusion: Living liver donors commonly recovered after 3-6 months, perceiving donation as a positive experience with no regret. Durable side effects were mainly heartburn and abdominal discomfort, but the symptoms were mostly mild. Liver function was normal. The MRI data showed a mean regeneration of liver volume to 98.6% of the preoperative values.