Benefits and risks

Information for the public

When NICE looked at the evidence, it decided that living-donor liver transplantation could be carried out in the NHS providing the legal and regulatory requirements are met. The 18 studies (including reviews and surveys) that NICE looked at involved more than 30,000 patients.

Generally, the studies showed the following benefits:

Survival was higher in children receiving liver transplants from living donors (92%) than from dead donors (81%) and the liver tissue survived in more children having live liver transplants (81%) than from dead donors (73%).
For transplants between adults, survival rates were similar for transplants from live and dead donors.
Nearly all donors returned to normal life by 6 months after surgery. By this time, the donor's liver had recovered to 89% of its original size.
The quality of life of donors was better than that of the general population over a 14‑year period after donation.

The studies showed that there are significant risks of living‑donor liver transplantation for both recipients and donors. These include death and some potentially life‑threatening complications. The risks for donors and recipients are different. Your doctor should make sure you understand the risks involved, and explain them in detail. Counselling is required before any decision.

If you want to know more about the studies, see the guidance. Ask your health professional to explain anything you don't understand.