ქართული
РусскийLiver transplantation in Georgia
Since the early 1980s, liver transplantation has been recognized as a life-saving treatment and has become the standard of care for many forms of end-stage liver disease. Initially, all liver transplants used deceased donor livers. However, as the number of patients awaiting transplantation increased, it became clear that the number of deceased donors could not meet the global demand for donor organs. In response to this, living donor liver transplantation was developed, beginning with adults donating to children. This practice has since expanded, allowing adults to donate to other adults.
Technical advances in liver surgery and the liver’s unique ability to regenerate have made this procedure a life-saving reality. Live donation offers patients the option of transplantation before they become critically ill (regardless of MELD score), significantly reducing the waiting time for a liver. Today, the median MELD score at the time of transplant is so high that even patients with MELD exception points may have to wait longer to receive a high-quality liver. Live donor liver transplant is an excellent option for patients with liver cancer, primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and/or symptoms of liver disease with a MELD score between 11 and 24.
Liver donor transplant is an elective operation planned well in advance, resulting in a very short cold ischemia time—the period during which the liver is without blood and is artificially preserved. Livers from live donors are usually of excellent quality because donors are extensively evaluated and only allowed to donate if they are in very good health. Living donation not only saves the life of the recipient but also frees up a liver for another patient on the waiting list who does not have this option. If a liver transplant candidate can receive a liver from a living donor, a family member, relative, or close friend can be considered for donation.
Criteria for live donation of a liver include:
- Must be in good physical and mental health.
- Must be between the ages of 18 and 60.
- Must have a body mass index (BMI) that is less than 32.
- Must have a compatible blood type with the recipient.
- Must be free from the following:
- Significant organ diseases (e.g., heart disease, kidney disease, etc.).
- Ongoing malignancy (cancer).
- Hepatitis.
- Active or chronic infections.
- Active substance abuse.
Living donors also need a strong support system to rely on for emotional and physical needs during recovery. We have an excellent team of social workers who will work alongside you as you build your care plan for recovery.
Finally, the donation of any organ by a living person must be completely voluntary. Donors should be free from any pressure or guilt associated with the donation and cannot be paid for their donation.
If you or a loved one has end-stage liver disease (also known as chronic liver failure) and standard medical and surgical therapies no longer work, a liver transplant may be a lifesaving option.
Conditions that may lead to liver transplant include:
- Acute liver failure: Rapid deterioration of liver function, which can occur due to viruses or other infections, drug overdose or other toxins, cancer, or autoimmune disease.
- Cirrhosis: A chronic degenerative disease of the liver that may result from alcoholism or hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma: Cancer that starts in the liver cells.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC): A slow deterioration of the bile ducts in the liver.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis: Disease leading to scarring of the bile ducts.
- Wilson’s disease: An inherited disorder that causes too much copper to accumulate in the liver, brain, and other organs.