Can you believe that this liver has been compeletely divided into two with its blood supply intact?

Believe it or not,this living donor liver has been completely surgically split into two keeping all blood supply to both halves intact.
One part will be removed and put into the recipient.
If done well, living donation is indeed quite safe as can be seen by beautiful appearance of both halves.

For those who need some extra motivation to do the right thing

NEED ANY MORE MOTIVATION TO DONATE?

Who can be a living liver donor?

Any healthy adult ( aged between 18 and 55 years) can be a potential live liver donor and subjected to screening.

In addition the following characteristics would increase chances of suitability

1. Compatible or same ABO blood group as intended recipient
   
2. Body mass index between 20-30 kg/m2 ( no malnourishment or obesity)
   
3. Absence of transmissible viral serology
   
4. No previous upper abdominal or hepatobiliary surgery
5. Absence of alcohol or drug abuse
   
6. No or well controlled medical conditions (ASA I or II)
7. Relationship with recipient ( as per law in certain countries including India )
   

While ultimate acceptability as a donor depends on a combination of anthropometric, physical, psychological and anatomical factors, if the above criteria are met by the potential donor, donor unsuitability rates that may be close to 50% can be reduced.

For more information http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/liver/liver.htm

Be an organ donor....give the gift of life

Once brain stem death is likely, unless specifically contraindicated the heart, lungs, pancreas, kidneys and corneas can be donated and can save many lives. No meaningful existence is possible once brain stem function is affected. What better legacy to leave behind in this world than help others live a full life?

The myth of Prometheus.....how the seed of live liver donation was sown.

Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mankind. For this crime he was trussed to a rock and every day an eagle fed on his liver only to have it grow at night to be eaten again the next day for 30 years.

Who needs a liver transplant?

In acute liver failure most centres follow criteria proferred by King's College Hospital or Clichy criteria or local modifications thereof. Once these criteria are met, survival of the patient without early transplantation is unlikely.These criteria take into account the depth of coma,function of the liver, time between onset of jaundice and coma, age and cause of liver disease and renal function.

In chronic liver disease once a patient falls into Child's Turcotte Pugh category C ( based on bilirubin, albumin, ascites, prothrombin time prolongation and encephalopathy) or has MELD score > 14 ( based on blilirubin, creatinine and INR) transplantation should be considered.

While these are generally accepted, disease specific criteria are also applicable.

Welcome world

Liver disease often affects young patients and patients in socially and economically productive age groups. If their liver disease is cured they can be expected to go on to live full and fulfilling lives. Liver transplant surgery gives hope to such patients whose liver disease has progressed to a stage from which spontaneous or medically assisted recovery is considered unlikely.
The old adage ' a stitch in time saves nine' still holds true. 'Timely liver transplantation' therefore is the watchword before other organ systems have been significanlty ravaged by the complications of liver disease.