What are the possible complications after liver donation?

Question
Hello doctor,
I want to donate liver to a patient is a close relationship. What are the possible complications after donating liver? Since I see the doctor has advised that the liver can recover, can you give me more details, doctor? Thank you doctor.
Duong Van Hoang (1996)
Answer
Answered by Master, Doctor Hoang Duc Nam - Hepatobiliary Surgery - General Surgery Department, Vinmec International General Hospital.
Hello,
With the question “What are possible complications after liver donation? ", the doctor would like to answer as follows:
Donating a liver from a living donor to a living person is a major surgery (special surgery because it requires a lot of modern special equipment) because it usually cuts away. 65-70% of available liver volume.
All surgical and surgical interventions have their potential risks: Depending on the type of intervention, the method of anesthesia, the use of drugs, blood products,... Currently, live donor liver transplantation in Vietnam many major centers in the world and in the country gave very positive results: Mortality was less than 0.1%; Surgery-related complications are less than 5%.
Post-hepatectomy may meet:
Transient mild complications that do not require special treatment or intervention: Fatigue and weakness due to transient liver failure (lack of functional liver volume): Usually self-healing after liver resection. 1 week, right pleural effusion, abdominal distension, prolonged paralytic ileus; Incision pain, bile leak - dark fluid collection confined to the area, .. Serious complications that require intervention or re-operation: Bleeding (incision or in the abdomen), diffuse large-volume leak causing inflammation biliary peritoneum; Intestinal perforation ; Narrowing at the apex of the right hepatic duct or portal vein (may manifest or develop after a few months such as jaundice, right abdominal pain); Severe liver failure is difficult to recover due to underlying liver disease, or the remaining liver volume is too small (less than 30% of standard liver volume),... Some notes for people who want to donate liver:
Legally Legal: Need to ensure compliance with the law (organ transplant law). Or have blood relations (parents to children, aunts and uncles to grandchildren, siblings, ... and vice versa); Or a marital relationship (husband and wife to each other). The law does not explicitly prohibit but does not encourage unrelated organ donation. If you still want to donate organs, you need to contact the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center for random unidentified donation when needed. Medical: Need to be thoroughly screened psychologically; Physiological liver function, no underlying liver disease - and systemic; CT scan and liver magnetic resonance: Anatomical assessment and volume measurement are suitable for large liver resection; No cancer and infectious diseases (HIV, viral hepatitis, advanced tuberculosis,...); Prefer the same ABO and Rh blood groups. Thus, you donate to a loved one needs to be clarified by the legal department. Ideally, you should visit a hepatobiliary specialist for specific advice.
If you still have questions about complications after donating your liver, you can go to a hospital under Vinmec Health System for further examination and advice. Thank you for trusting and sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you lots of health.
Best regards!