A liver transplant is an operation where a diseased or damaged liver is removed from the body and replaced with a healthy one.
The functions of the liver
With the exception of the brain, the liver is one of the most complex organs in the body. It has over 500 functions, most of which are essential for sustaining life.
The functions of the liver include:
- filtering toxins from the blood,
- producing important chemicals, such as proteins and hormones,
- producing blood-clotting agents that can help to prevent excessive bleeding,
- regulating cholesterol levels in the blood,
- helping to fight infection and disease, and
- storing energy for use when the body needs an immediate energy boost.
Liver damage
The liver is a very tough and resilient organ, and it can endure a high level of damage that would destroy other organs. It is also capable of regenerating itself.
Despite its resilience, if the liver is extensively damaged as a result of illness, infection or (as is becoming increasingly common) alcohol and substance misuse, it will become scarred. Scarring of the liver is known as cirrhosis.
Once cirrhosis reaches a certain level, the liver gradually loses all its functions. This is known as end-stage liver disease. A liver transplant is the only cure for end-stage liver disease.
Liver transplants
There are three types of liver transplant:
- a cadaver-organ donation,
- a living donor transplant, and
- a split donation.
These are explained in more details below.
Cadaver-organ donation
A cadaver-organ donation involves a liver being removed from a person who has recently died, and used for transplant.
Living donor liver transplant
During a living donor transplant, a section of liver is removed from a donor who is still living, and it is used for transplant.
Because the liver can regenerate itself, both the transplanted section and the remaining section of the donor’s liver are able to re-grow into a normal size liver.
Split donation
A split donation is when a liver is removed from a person who has recently died and then split into two pieces: one large and one smaller piece.
The larger piece of liver is transplanted into an adult, and the smaller piece is transplanted into a child. As with living donations, both pieces of liver will grow into a normal size.
How common are liver transplants?
Every year, an estimated 600 liver transplants are carried out in the UK. However, the number of people who need a liver transplant is much higher than the number of livers donated.
Consequently, deaths from liver disease remain high. In 2007, there were more than 13,000 deaths from liver disease in England and Wales.
The most effective way that people can help to reduce the number of deaths from liver disease is to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. See Useful links for more information.