Liver regeneration and surgical outcome in donors of right-lobe liver grafts.

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies of healthy live-liver donors have suggested that complete liver regeneration occurs within a matter of weeks; however, there have been no long-term studies evaluating liver regeneration and few studies documenting long-term donor outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-one donors who provided right-lobe grafts underwent volumetric spiral computed tomography scans preoperatively and postoperatively at time intervals of 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Patient demographics, surgical data, and postoperative outcome were correlated with liver regeneration data. Donor surgical outcome was followed prospectively and recorded in a comprehensive database.

RESULTS

Thirty-three males and 18 females (mean age 36.0+/-9.6 years) provided 51 right-lobe grafts. Mean follow-up was 9.8+/-3.4 months. No donor operation was aborted, and surgical morbidity and mortality rates were 39% and 0%, respectively. Donor remnant liver volume was 49.4+/-5.7% of the original total liver volume (TLV). Overall liver regeneration was 83.3+/-9.0% of the TLV by 1 year. Female donors had significantly slower liver regrowth when compared with males at 12 months (79.8+/-9.3% vs. 85.6+/-8.2%, P<0.01). There was no effect of age, body mass index, operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative complications, or perioperative liver function tests on liver regeneration.

DISCUSSION

Liver regeneration continues throughout the first postoperative year. Only one donor achieved complete liver regeneration during this time period; however, all donors have maintained normal liver function without long-term complications. Longer follow-up is needed to determine whether donors ever achieve original TLV.