Organ donation from living and deceased people: What patients need to know

Understanding the differences between these two possibilities is critical for patients considering either path.

Published Aug 13, 2024 | 9:02 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 13, 2024 | 9:02 PM

Organ donation from living and dead people

Organ donation. (iStock)

Organ donation is a life-saving gift that may considerably improve the quality of life for the recipient. There are two kinds of organ donation: Living donation and deceased donation. Understanding the differences between these two possibilities is critical for patients considering either path.

Also Read: India needs intestines, pancreas and others — awareness too

Living donation

In a living donation, a healthy individual gives a kidney or a section of their liver to someone in need. This is achievable because the liver regenerates and people may function with a single healthy kidney. Living donors may be:

Near relatives include spouses, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and grandkids.
Donations from distant relatives or acquaintances must be approved by a state authorisation committee.

Benefits

Compared to dead donor waitlists, recipients can obtain a suitable organ within a year.
Living organ donors have superior and longer-lasting organs compared to deceased donors.

Risks

Kidney and liver donation are substantial operations with risks including infection, bleeding, and discomfort.
Donors may face long-term health issues, but this is unusual.
Psychological impact: Donors may experience emotional stress or worry before and after surgery.

Donation from deceased people

Deceased donation involves organs retrieved from brain-dead individuals or people who have been declared dead. Brain death is an irreversible loss of all brain function.

Organs suitable for donation include kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and intestines.

Benefits

Deceased donors contribute to a larger pool of organs accessible for transplantation.
The deceased are not at risk from surgery.

Risks

Wait times for deceased donor organs can be long, even years.
After death, organ quality might decrease, reducing transplant success rates.

Also Read: Manipal Hospitals and Anil Srivatsa to promote organ donation globally

What to choose?

Both living and deceased contributions are critical for saving lives. Your specific circumstances will determine which option is best for you.

Important Considerations:

Medical compatibility: To make sure they are compatible with the receiver, potential donors go through extensive medical evaluations.
Emotional well-being: Your physical and mental well-being should be carefully considered before making a living gift.
Family conversations: Talk to your family about what you would like done with your organs when you pass away.

Conclusion

To solve the shortage of organs required for transplantation, both living and deceased organ donations are essential. To make decisions that are well-informed and tailored to their unique medical condition and circumstances, patients should talk through their alternatives with their healthcare providers.

(Dr Tarun Dilip Javali is the Consultant and HOD — Department of Urology — at the Ramaiah Memorial Hospital in Bengaluru. Views expressed are personal.)

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