Liver transplantation is the surgical procedure that is reserved for individuals with severe liver failure (usually due to cirrhosis of the liver ) and by which a liver is irreparably damaged by another healthy donor, coming from a compatible donor.
Usually, the "new" liver is taken from a recently deceased donor ; however, there is the possibility of taking the sample from a consenting living person . This opportunity derives from the fact that the liver is the only human organ capable of self - regenerating itself after its partial removal.
If initially the operation could take place only between blood relatives and with the passage of the organ from an adult to a child, today it can be performed even among adults and strangers to each other .
Blood group compatibility aside, the fundamental parameters that an individual must possess (or within which he must return) in order to donate a portion of his liver are:
- State of good health .
- Willingness to donate your own liver no-profit any . The law, in fact, only provides for the disinterested donation and as a charitable gesture and prohibits the commercial one
- Be between 18 and 60 years old .
- Possess a liver of similar or larger size than the recipient's. This is especially true among acquaintances.
- Having undergone all the clinical tests required for those who want to become living liver donors. Clinical tests include: CT scans, nuclear magnetic resonance, accurate psychological examinations, etc.
ADVANTAGES
Living donor liver transplantation is advantageous because it greatly reduces waiting times .The latter, especially in the case of an organ such as the liver for which there is no alternative mechanical device / organ, represent the real problem of donation from a deceased person to a living person.