Donor Surgery in Liver Transplantation

Introduction

Liver transplantation is one of the most advanced and life-saving surgical procedures available today — often the only definitive treatment for patients suffering from end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure, or certain types of liver cancer.

While liver transplant saves lives, its success relies on a remarkable act of compassion — the liver donor. The human liver’s unique ability to regenerate makes living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) a reality, enabling one person to give a portion of their liver to another safely.

At PACE Hospitals Hyderabad, our multidisciplinary liver transplant team performs living and deceased donor liver transplants with exceptional success rates, using advanced surgical techniques, 3D imaging, and minimally invasive donor procedures that prioritize both safety and recovery.

Understanding Donor Surgery in Liver Transplantation

What is Donor Liver Surgery?

Donor surgery is a meticulously planned and highly specialized operation in which a portion of a healthy person’s liver (typically 40–60%) is surgically removed and transplanted into a recipient whose liver is no longer functioning.

Since the liver can regenerate to its original size within a few months, both the donor and recipient can live healthy, normal lives after surgery.

Who Can Be a Liver Donor?

At PACE Hospitals, potential donors undergo a detailed medical and psychological evaluation to ensure the safety and suitability for surgery.

Donor Eligibility Criteria:

• Age: 18–55 years
• Blood group compatible with recipient
• Good liver function and overall health
• No significant medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, liver disease)
• Non-smoker, non-alcoholic, and mentally sound

The donor must provide voluntary and informed consent, understanding all risks and long-term implications.

Types of Liver Transplants at PACE Hospitals

• Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT):
• A healthy donor donates part of the liver (usually right or left lobe).
• Most common in India due to limited availability of deceased donors.
• Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT):
• The entire liver is obtained from a brain-dead donor with family consent.

PACE Hospitals offers both types, with LDLT being the preferred choice for elective transplants due to reduced waiting time and higher success rates.

Preoperative Evaluation of the Donor

Before surgery, the donor undergoes a comprehensive health assessment to ensure they are physically and psychologically ready.

Pre-Surgery Tests Include:

• Blood group and liver function tests
• Viral screening (HIV, Hepatitis B/C)
• Ultrasound and MRI of the liver
• CT volumetry (to assess liver volume for donor and recipient)
• Cardiac evaluation
• Psychiatric counseling to ensure informed decision-making

These evaluations ensure that donor safety is always the top priority.

Step-by-Step: Donor Surgery Process

Anesthesia & Positioning: The donor is placed under general anesthesia and positioned for optimal access to the liver.

• Surgical Incision and Liver Mobilization: Surgeons carefully mobilize the liver by dissecting it free from surrounding structures while preserving major blood vessels.
• Intraoperative Cholangiography: A special imaging technique is used to map the bile ducts to avoid injury during the operation.
• Liver Resection: Depending on the recipient’s needs and donor anatomy, the right or left lobe of the liver is removed with precision using advanced vascular staplers and energy devices.
• Hemostasis & Closure: After the liver segment is removed, meticulous care is taken to prevent bleeding, and the abdomen is closed securely.
• Graft Perfusion & Transplantation: The retrieved liver portion is flushed with preservation solution and immediately transferred to the recipient team for transplantation.
• Postoperative Recovery: The donor is shifted to the ICU for 24–48 hours of close monitoring before being moved to a recovery ward.

Recovery After Donor Surgery

PACE Hospitals ensures individualized postoperative care to support rapid healing and comfort.

Recovery Timeline:

• Hospital Stay: 7–10 days
• Return to Work: 4–6 weeks (depending on occupation)
• Full Liver Regeneration: Within 8–12 weeks

Postoperative Care Tips:

• Regular wound cleaning and dressing
• Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least 2 months
• Eat a balanced, protein-rich diet to support liver regeneration
• Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol or hepatotoxic drugs
• Attend regular follow-up visits with the liver team

Most donors resume normal activities within 1–2 months and live perfectly healthy lives thereafter.

Risks Associated with Donor Surgery

While living donor liver surgery is safe when performed at a high-volume transplant center like PACE Hospitals, it still carries some potential risks:

Possible Complications:

• Temporary pain or fatigue
• Bile leakage
• Infection or bleeding
• Rarely, postoperative liver dysfunction

With meticulous surgical planning, intraoperative imaging, and ICU monitoring, the complication rate at PACE Hospitals is <5%, among the lowest in India.

Why Choose PACE Hospitals for Liver Donor Surgery?

• Multidisciplinary Expertise: PACE Hospitals has one of Hyderabad’s most advanced HPB & Liver Transplant Units, combining expertise in Hepatology, Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Radiology, and Critical Care.

• Advanced Technology
• 3D Liver Volumetry and Virtual Surgical Planning
• High-definition laparoscopic and robotic systems
• Intraoperative ultrasound and vascular imaging
• Experienced Transplant Team
• Led by highly skilled HPB and transplant surgeons, PACE Hospitals has achieved exceptional outcomes for both living donors and recipients.
• Ethical and Transparent Approach
• Every transplant follows ethical guidelines, legal clearances, and counseling protocols under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), ensuring donor safety and informed consent.
• Dedicated Liver ICU and Post-Transplant Care
• PACE Hospitals offers 24×7 critical care, infection control protocols, and personalized follow-ups to ensure both donor and recipient safety.

Life After Donor Surgery

The liver’s regenerative power ensures that donors experience no long-term disability. Most donors report a strong sense of fulfillment and improved self-esteem after surgery.

Regular follow-ups include liver function tests at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery. After recovery, donors can lead completely normal lives — including pregnancy, exercise, and travel.

PACE Hospitals provides lifetime medical follow-up and counseling for all donors.

Liver Transplant Dept | Liver Transplant Hospital in Hyderabad