Apr 15, 2024
Welcome back to UHC’s House Call on WDTV. Maura Mullen BSN, RN, Critical Care Supervisor and Educator at United Hospital Center, is here to discuss what is a living donation.
1). What is involved in the evaluation to be a living donor?
The evaluation is designed to protect both the donor and the recipient. It ensures that the donor is healthy enough for the surgery and is making an informed decision. A potential living donor undergoes both physical and psychosocial examinations. Testing can vary depending on the organ and donor’s age. In addition, routine health screens will need to be up to date before donation can occur.
2). What are the advantages of being a living donor?
- When doctors are able to transplant an organ from one family member to another, the genetic match often decreases the risk of rejection.
- Because it is a living donation, the procedure can be scheduled at a convenient time for both the donor and recipient.
- Kidney transplant recipients often see an immediate return of normal function.
3). What types of organs supplied by living donors?
We are referring to kidney, liver (lobe), and lung (lobe). With regard to the…
Kidney—individuals can donate one of their two kidneys to a recipient, making this the most common form of living organ donation. Although donors will see a decrease in kidney function after donation, their remaining kidney will function properly in working to remove waste from the body.
Liver (lobe)—People can donate one of two lobes of their liver. The liver cells in the remaining lobes of the liver regenerate after the donation until the organ has regrown to almost its original size. This occurs in both the donor and recipient.
Lung (lobe)—Lung lobes do not regenerate, but individuals can donate a lobe of one lung. Living lung donation occurs when two adults give the right and left lower lobes (from each respectively) to a recipient. The donor’s lungs must be the right volume and size to be a correct match.
This content was originally posted on the WDTV News website here.
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