Advantages of live donor liver transplantation

The main benefit to the recipient of a liver transplant from a living donor is that there is less chance of the patient dying before a transplant organ becomes available.

The outcomes of LDLT's show equal if not better results compared to deceased donor transplants. Donating part of a liver for transplant is a major procedure for the donor. However, this is a safe operation in experienced centres. Internationally, the reported risk of death of the donor is estimated to be between 1 in 500 to 1 in 200.

The liver portion removed will regenerate in all cases by twelve to sixteen weeks after partial hepatectomy.

There may be a psychological benefit to the donor and even if the transplant should fail, the donor may take comfort in the knowledge of having done everything possible to save the recipient.

It is hoped that the living donor transplant can be offered at an earlier stage avoiding the deterioration of the recipient's clinical condition into end stage liver disease.

Live liver transplantation between relatives may provide better histo compatibility matching may provide an immunologic advantage.