Celebrating another milestone in its pioneering role in liver transplantation, UPMC has performed it’s 500th adult living-donor liver transplant (LDLT).
“Living donation offers an option for those who won’t qualify for a deceased donor transplant or who simply cannot wait” said McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty member Abhinav Humar, MD, Chief, Division of Transplantation, UPMC. “There just aren’t enough livers to go around for all who need them.”
During a LDLT a piece of the donor’s healthy liver is removed and transplanted into another person. The procedure works because of the liver’s unique ability to regenerate or regrow. The piece of donated liver grows into a healthy and functioning liver for the recipient.
“It’s an outstanding example of what people are capable of doing for others,” said Dr. Humar. “You can see right away that there’s a bond— both physical because of the organ, and emotional, because many of our donors and patients stay in touch for their lifetime.”
More than 12,000 Americans are waiting for a liver transplant — yet only about 8,000 deceased-donor livers become available each year. Living-liver donation enables UPMC to provide more options for patients and more-timely care without the need for a deceased donor. UPMC is the national leader in LDLTs, performing more than any other medical center in the country.
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