In a living donor liver transplant, a healthy person donates a part of their liver to a family member. The liver is the only organ that regrows: within a few weeks, both the donor’s liver and the recipient’s new liver grow back close to normal size.
Who can be a liver donor?
- Usually aged about 18–55 years
- A close family member, or another person approved under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act
- A compatible blood group
- Good general health — no significant heart, lung or kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes or active infection
- A healthy liver with little or no fat, and anatomy suitable for donation on scans
- Willing to donate voluntarily, without pressure or payment
How donors are evaluated
Evaluation is done step by step: blood tests, liver function and viral tests, an ultrasound and CT scan to measure liver volume and blood vessels, heart and lung check-ups, and a psychological assessment. Finally, an authorisation committee reviews the documents, as required by law.
Is liver donation safe?
Living liver donation is major surgery, and every surgery carries risk — such as bleeding, infection, bile leak or blood clots. With careful selection and an experienced team, serious complications are uncommon. Your transplant team will explain the risks in detail before you decide, and you can withdraw at any stage.
Donor recovery time
- Hospital stay: about 7–10 days
- Light routine activity: within 2–4 weeks
- Office work: usually after 4–6 weeks
- Heavy work and lifting: after about 3 months
- The liver regrows to near-normal size in about 2–3 months
Most donors live a completely normal life afterwards, with no long-term medicines.
लिवर डोनर आमतौर पर 18–55 वर्ष का स्वस्थ परिवारजन होता है, जिसका ब्लड ग्रुप मेल खाता हो और लिवर स्वस्थ हो। दान पूरी तरह स्वैच्छिक होता है और क़ानून के अनुसार कमेटी की मंज़ूरी ज़रूरी है।
डोनर लगभग 7–10 दिन अस्पताल में रहते हैं, 4–6 हफ़्तों में ऑफ़िस का काम और लगभग 3 महीने में भारी काम कर सकते हैं। लिवर 2–3 महीनों में फिर से लगभग पूरा बढ़ जाता है।
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can donate a liver?
Usually a healthy close relative aged about 18–55 with a compatible blood group and a healthy liver, approved by the authorisation committee.
What is the recovery time for a liver donor?
Donors usually stay in hospital for 7–10 days, return to office work in 4–6 weeks and to heavy work after about 3 months.
Does the donated liver grow back?
Yes. The donor’s remaining liver regrows to near-normal size in about 2–3 months.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Please consult a qualified doctor about your own condition.
