Background: Few transplant centers accept Good Samaritan living liver donors. The aims of this study were to compare the medical and psychosocial outcomes of directed and non-directed living liver donors to living liver donors who were biologically related to the transplant candidate.

Methods: Directed and non-directed living liver donors that contacted the transplant center between 2010-2017 were matched to biologically related living liver donors according to age, gender, and duration since surgery. A structured interview was performed and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form 12 (SF-12) were administered after surgery. The medical chart was also reviewed for laboratory results and complications.

Results: Forty directed and non-directed living liver donors were evaluated, 13 were declined by the medical team, 4 withdrew, 2 of the transplant candidates received a deceased organ, and 21 proceeded to surgery (53%). The majority of directed and non-directed donors were male (n=7) and mean age of 31.5 (S.D.=7.4). No significant between group differences were observed on the SF-12 Physical [F (1,25) =0.029, p=0.865] or Mental subscales [F (1,25) =0.162, p=0.691], post-operative complications [Chi-Square=0.650, p=0.420], lab values at 6-months [Chi-Square=0.195, p=0.658], or hospital readmissions [Chi-Square=0.377, p=0.539]. No significant differences were observed between directed and non-directed living liver donors when compared to biologically related donors with regard to PHQ-2 scores [F (1,25) =0.023, p=0.881] or changes in family relations [Chi-Square=0.001, p=0.999], however four donors reported negative family relations after surgery (e.g., intimacy issues with spouse, financial concerns, distressed children, lack of support after surgery). No significant between group differences were observed with regard to changes in health behaviors [Chi-Square=0.867, p=0.352]. The majority of donors who quit tobacco use prior to surgery, returned to tobacco use after surgery. The biological donors also decreased their physical activity after surgery.

Conclusions: Medical and psychosocial outcomes of directed and non-directed living liver donors were similar to those donors who were biologically related. Assessment and intervention of tobacco use and physical activity should be performed at post-operative visits.

CITATION INFORMATION: Steel J., Ganesh S., Lai A., Shen S., Zharichenko N., Nawaz S., Kingsley K., Dulovich M., Tevar A., Hughes C., Humar A. Medical and Psychosocial Outcomes of Directed and Non Directed Living Liver Donors Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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