Long-term health-related quality of life in living liver donors: A south Asian experience

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL), changes in lifestyle, and complications in living liver donors at a single transplant center from southern India.

Methods: A total of 64 consecutive living liver donors from 2008 to 2011 were evaluated; 46 of 64 donors completed the short form 36 (SF-36) via telephonic interviews or clinic consultations. Mean follow-up was 48 months (range: 37-84 months).

Results: There was no mortality in the donors evaluated. Overall morbidity was 23%, which included wound infections (4.3%), incisional hernia (2.1%), biliary leak (4.3%), and nonspecific complaints regarding the incision site (15.2%). All 46 donors who completed the SF-36 had no change in career path or predonation lifestyle. A total of 40 of 46 (87%) donors had no limitations, decrements, or disability in any domain, while six of 46 (13%) had these in some domains of which general health (GH) was most severely affected.

Conclusions: Living donor hepatectomy is safe with acceptable morbidity and excellent long-term HRQOL with no change in career path or significant alteration of lifestyle for donors.