Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)

Understanding

What is living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)?

Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT) is a specialized surgical procedure in which a healthy individual donates a portion of their liver to a patient with advanced liver disease. Since the liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate, both the donor’s remaining liver and the transplanted portion can grow back to near-normal size over time.

LDLT offers patients a timely transplant option, reducing waiting times and improving outcomes, especially in regions where deceased donor organs are limited.

Living Donor Liver Transplant involves transplanting a portion of a healthy donor’s liver into a recipient whose liver is failing or severely damaged. The donor is usually a close family member or a medically suitable individual who meets strict health and safety criteria.

Following surgery, both the donor’s and recipient’s livers regenerate, restoring normal liver function.

The LDLT Procedure

  • Donor Surgery

A carefully planned portion of the donor’s liver is surgically removed while ensuring maximum donor safety.

  • Recipient Surgery

The diseased liver is removed and replaced with the donated liver segment. Blood vessels and bile ducts are reconstructed to restore normal liver function.

Why Choose Living Donor Liver Transplant?

  • Faster access to transplantation
  • Reduced waiting-list mortality
  • Excellent outcomes for both donor and recipient
  • Advanced surgical planning
  • Comprehensive multidisciplinary care
  • Personalized follow-up programs

Diagnosis of living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT)

Recipient Evaluation

The recipient undergoes a detailed assessment to determine the severity of liver disease and suitability for transplantation.

  • Medical Assessment
    • Detailed medical history
    • Physical examination
    • Review of previous treatments and hospitalizations
    • Assessment of liver disease complications

Liver Disease Severity Assessment

    • MELD Score evaluation
    • Child-Pugh Score assessment
    • Assessment of portal hypertension
    • Evaluation of liver failure severity

Surgical Assessment

    • Liver volume adequacy
    • Vascular anatomy evaluation
    • Bile duct anatomy assessment
    • Overall surgical suitability

Multidisciplinary Transplant Board Review

After completing all investigations, a multidisciplinary transplant team reviews both donor and recipient evaluations to determine:

    • Suitability for LDLT
    • Donor safety
    • Recipient readiness
    • Surgical planning
    • Expected transplant outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to your questions

Q1: Who can be a living liver donor?

A living liver donor is usually a healthy adult between 18 and 55 years of age with a compatible blood group, normal liver function, and no major medical conditions.

Q2: Is it safe to donate a portion of the liver?

Yes. Living liver donation is generally safe when performed after a thorough medical evaluation. The liver has the unique ability to regenerate, allowing donors to return to normal lives after recovery.

Q3:What are the advantages of LDLT?
  • Reduced waiting time
  • Early transplantation before complications worsen
  • Better surgical planning
  • Excellent long-term outcomes
  • Lower risk of waiting-list mortality