Introduction: The demand for liver transplantation continues to exceed the availability of deceased donor organs, resulting in prolonged waiting times and preventable waitlist mortality. This perspective discusses how living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can complement deceased donor transplantation to expand access and improve patient outcomes.
Introduction:
The demand for liver transplantation continues to exceed the availability of deceased donor organs, resulting in prolonged waiting times and preventable waitlist mortality. This perspective discusses how living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can complement deceased donor transplantation to expand access and improve patient outcomes.
Why was this article needed?
Many countries continue to face a shortage of deceased donor organs. Although LDLT is an established procedure with excellent outcomes, its adoption remains limited in many adult transplant programs because of logistical, ethical, and perceived clinical barriers.
What did the article show?
Clinical Impact:
Living donor liver transplantation should be viewed as a complementary, rather than competing, strategy to deceased donor transplantation. Expanding LDLT programs can increase transplant opportunities while maintaining high standards of donor safety and recipient outcomes.
Take-Home Message:
Living donor liver transplantation offers a sustainable solution to the growing shortage of donor organs. With appropriate expertise, ethical safeguards, and multidisciplinary care, LDLT can significantly expand access to life-saving liver transplantation while preserving donor safety.
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