Cadaveric Liver Transplant v/s Living Liver Donation: Which is better?

Liver transplant is an option in end-stage liver disease. There are two types of liver donors. Living liver donors and cadaver donors. Living liver donors involve grafting a part of liver to patients liver from a living donor. Cadavers or the deceased donors are those donors which are brain dead. Cadaver DonorrnCadavers or deceased people are the common sources of transplantations. These cadaveric donors are consented in advance to donate the organ. The family members of the cadavers also consent before organ donation. A person is considered dead his brain stops functioning. From these brain dead person, the liver is extracted from the patient’s body and reserved for the transplantation. This whole procedure takes place within 24 hours of the cadaver’s death. Cadaveric Transplant in IndiarnCadaveric transplant in India is at a very poor stage. According to India's Organ Retrieval Banking Organization, 1.4 lakh annual people are pronounced dead every year. To respond to the growing needs of the organ donation, about 2500 to 3000 bodies are needed. But, according to the statistics, only 500 are used. This is due to the traditional beliefs as well as lack of counseling. Cadaveric Transplant Law in IndiarnTransplantation of human organ act in 1994 covers all the aspect of cadavers transplant in India. This acts has allowed the multi-organ transplantation from the brain dead people. They have been done successfully throughout since then. Only a few private and government hospital are eligible for such procedures. Benefits of Cadaveric Transplant • Cadaveric transplant is done from the brain dead people. Therefore, the whole organ is available for the transplantation. This is not the case with living liver donor. Dr. Tom Cherian, a renowned liver transplant surgeon, suggests waiting for four to six months for a Cadaveric donor. • Nobody has to handle the risk related to liver donation because the donor is already dead. There is no risk to the donor in cadaveric transplant. • A cadaveric transplant can be done with much ease and comfort as compared to the living donor. There are no chances of infection in the donor's body.rnDisadvantages of Cadaveric Transplantrn• It is relatively harder to get a cadaveric donor. It is also difficult to convince the family member of the deceased person. • There is the high success rate of transplant from a living donor than a cadaveric donor. • It takes more than 6 months to have a cadaveric transplant. • The liver from a living donor starts functioning immediately while that from cadaveric donor takes time to start functioning. • Full check-up of a deceased person is required in case of cadaveric transplant. But, this may not be the case of living donor transplant. • Living donor transplant involves the advantage of scheduling the operation but, this may not be possible in cadaveric transplant. Who are not eligible for donation?rnAlthough, almost everyone can donate a liver. There are few people who will not be allowed to donate a liver. Following are some people-rn1. Cancer patients.rn2. People infected with infections.rn3. People infected with HIV.rn4. People with low immunity.rn5. People above 60 years of age.rnTherefore, it is better to opt for living donations as it is better in every aspect. The only advantage of cadaveric liver transplant is that whole liver is available for transplant. So, keep in mind these few things and then chose the type of donor. To know more about your specific condition, please visit an Hepatologist in a trusted hospital close to you.