The liver is the organ that grows back after donation.
Liver Regeneration After Donation
Following a living liver donation, the donor's liver starts to regenerate to its original size. This remarkable process begins within the first week after surgery. According to the provided reference, the liver starts to grow back to its typical size within the first week after a living donor surgery.
How Does Liver Regeneration Work?
- Cellular Growth: The liver's cells (hepatocytes) begin to multiply and grow.
- Restoration of Size: This growth process continues until the liver has reached its typical size, which can take several weeks.
- No Functional Loss: Despite this significant regeneration, the liver maintains its full functionality throughout the process.
Significance of Liver Regeneration
The liver's ability to regenerate is crucial for living donor liver transplants. It allows a portion of the donor's liver to be safely transplanted while ensuring the donor's liver can return to its normal size and function. This capacity makes living donor liver transplants a viable treatment option for patients with severe liver disease.
Here's a summary:
| Organ | Regeneration After Donation? | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Liver | Yes | Within the first week after surgery and onward |
| Other Organs | No (Typically) | N/A |
