Introduction: Living Donor Liver Transplantation (LDLT) is common in Pakistan, where deceased organ donation is lacking. However, not all potential living donors are suitable for the procedure due to various medical, technical, psychosocial, and ethical reasons. This study aims to investigate the reasons for the ineligibility of potential living liver donors in Pakistan.
Method: Between June 2022 and March 2023, 530 potential living liver donors were assessed for liver transplant recipients at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute & Research Centre (PKLI&RC). Potential donors were evaluated in three steps, including laboratory tests, imaging, and consultations. Prospectively maintained data on all potential donors were examined and retrospectively assessed to identify the causes of donor rejection.
Results: Of the 530 potential living donors evaluated, 364 of the potential donors were considered ineligible (68.67% of donors were rejected). Of these rejected donors, 193 (53%) were males, and 171 (47%) were females. The mean age of the rejected donors was 26 years old. The most common reason for disqualifying potential living liver donors was a withdrawal of consent (65 cases, 17.9%). Other factors contributing to ineligibility included fatty liver infiltration reflected by a low liver attenuation index (LAI), low future liver remnant (FLR), and low graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR). Medical issues, such as abnormal liver function tests and positive hepatitis serology, also resulted in disqualification.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of meticulous assessment of potential living liver donors to ensure their safety and the success of the transplant. The high rate of withdrawal of consent and the prevalence of medical issues indicate the need for addressing ethical concerns and improving public education on the donation process. This study also emphasizes the importance of deceased organ donation in developing countries like Pakistan to ensure the availability of organs for transplantation.