Liver donor health

This information does not cover detailed medical questions; it is designed to give you general information about donating part of your liver based on the advice of medical professionals and currently accepted guidance in the UK.

Your healthcare team will discuss risk with you in more detail and on an individual basis, particularly if there are certain concerns about you or your recipient because of your lifestyle, medical history or demographic, as risk must be considered on an individual basis based upon your individual circumstances.

It is also important to note that research in this area is continually evolving and it is not possible to cover every eventuality. Not every possible consequence of donation has been fully researched.

Are there any risks for living liver donors?

All operations carry some risk and donating part of your liver is no different. The risk associated with donating your liver depends on how much you donate, for example, when donating to a baby or young child it is likely the smallest lobe (the left lobe) will be enough. There is a small risk of death for the donor: this is estimated at 1 person in every 200 (for right lobe donation) or 1 in 500 (for left lobe donation). Most complications are minor and include infections (e.g. chest, wound or urine) and, rarely, bleeding, bile leaks or blood clots. There is also the risk of the liver transplant procedure failing and this may cause emotional distress if things do not work out as expected.

In safe hands and with thorough assessment, the risks are low but it is important that you think about them carefully and are clear that you are willing to accept them when making your own decision to donate.

Are there any long-term risks?

It is possible to live a long and healthy life after liver donation, but this does not protect you from other medical problems that you would have developed in any case. Risk is relative to the person donating and to individual circumstances and we know that some groups of people may need special consideration. In the long term the transplant team will provide follow up care, including annual checks and blood tests.

Are you at risk of developing liver failure?

There is a minimal risk 1 in 1000 of getting acute liver failure within the first 3 months after donation, which is reversible. Usually, your liver will return to normal function by 3 months. Following healthy living advice and attending an annual health review is recommended to ensure that you remain well and any health issues are picked up early.

What are the biggest risks of donor surgery?

There are risks associated within any surgery and because we know the most common problems, we can do our best to prevent them happening to you.

Clots (venous thromboembolism (VTE)), which can occur in the legs, arms (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), particularly when people are lying still or not moving around, can cause life threatening problems. You will need blood thinning injections under the skin for several weeks whilst you get back to normal, which you can give to yourself at home.

Bleeding, infection and bile leaks from where the liver surface has been cut can happen in any liver surgery (approximately 1 in every 10 donors) but everything is done to prevent these from happening after donation. We also screen living donors carefully to minimise the risk of heart attacks or other complications happening during or after surgery.

It is important that you speak to your living donor coordinator at any time during your assessment or after surgery if you develop any new symptoms or illnesses that may put you at risk. For example, chest pain, shortness of breath and swollen or painful legs/arms.

Can I live a healthy life if I have donated part of my liver?

It is important to be aware that research is ongoing into the effects of living donation and we do not yet have a completely full picture. Not all possible consequences of donation have been fully researched. Living liver donation will only be considered in very fit and healthy individuals. Donors will be provided with follow up care after transplant, and this has been proven to be beneficial to the donors.

Will you have to change your lifestyle after donating?

No. However, it is important that all patients who have under gone major abdominal surgery avoid weight gain, smoking and excessive alcohol intake. You should be able to lead a normal, healthy life and return to all your normal activities.

Unless you are already on medicines or need them for another reason in the future, you will not have to take medicines for the rest of your life because you have donated part of your liver. Immediately after surgery and whilst you recover you will need pain killers, blood thinners and stool softeners until you can eat, drink and move around normally.

Will donating a liver lobe affect your ability to have children?

Women are advised to leave up to a year, after donation before becoming pregnant. It is perfectly safe to give birth following living liver donation provided you have fully recovered from surgery and returned to normal health. A man’s fertility will not be affected.