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Home > Divisions > Transplantation > Living Donor Liver Transplant > What are the possible complications for the donor?
What are the possible complications for the donor?
The donor operation is a major procedure, so there
are many potential complications. If donating to an adult,
the rate of complications may be higher because a larger
piece of the liver has to be removed. Possible complications
include the following:
- Bleeding: The liver has a very rich blood supply,
so bleeding during the operation may be significant.
By donating his or her own blood before the surgery,
the donor minimizes any chance of needing an outside
transfusion. However, if there is more bleeding than
expected, it may be necessary to use blood from the
blood bank. A reoperation is rarely required to stop
postoperative bleeding.
- Bile duct problems: Bile may leak from the cut surface
of the liver or from where the bile duct is divided.
The site where the bile duct is divided may become narrowed,
making it difficult for bile to pass through. These
complications may require a specialized x-ray or, rarely,
a reoperation.
- Other complications may include an infection of the
incision, an infection inside the abdomen, a hernia
(if the muscles don't heal together properly), and blood
clots in the legs.
The overall incidence of complications after
donation ranges from 5% to 10%. There is also a small risk
(< 0.5%) of death. In the United States, over 1,500 LDLTs
have been done for children and 200 for adults. To date,
3 donors from other centers have died as a result of the
donor operation or complications. While the risk of death
is small, it is very real and must be considered.
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