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Home > Divisions > Transplantation > Living Donor Liver Transplant > How much pain will the donor have?
How much pain will the donor have?
Because the incision is large, it may be painful.
The ribs are also pulled up (retracted) during the surgery
in order to give the surgeons access to the liver. Breathing
and coughing use some of the same muscles that have been
cut, so pain for the donor may be significant. However,
the pain can usually be well controlled with the pain medications
that are given after the operation. The pain will lessen
once the donor is up and around and has some experience
getting in and out of bed.
All donors have a patient-controlled anesthesia (PCA) pump.
This pump provides a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion
of pain medication (usually morphine or hydromorphone).
By pushing a button on the PCA pump, the donor can obtain
as much pain medication as needed. More can be given during
activities that may cause more discomfort, such as walking
and coughing. The PCA pump is set so that not too much medication
at any one time can be given. Most patients use the PCA
pump for 2 to 3 days. Once the IV line comes out and liquids
are tolerated, pain medication can be given by mouth instead.
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