There are two sources of a donor liver (the deceased- and living-donor).The deceased-donor liver transplant is considered, if there is a donor with definitive diagnosis of brain death secondary to an accident or a disease.The liver can be removed for the transplant, after the family members are informed and their consent is obtained.The most suitable recipients (according to blood type, the time spent in waiting list and urgency of the need) are determined through a set of investigations conducted in coordination with National Coordination System and the liver is sent to the healthcare facility.
Unfortunately, there are long waiting lists in our country due to very low number of the deceased-donor organs.A living-donor liver transplant is considered if there are persons for whom there is no medical or legal contraindication to remove a part of liver.This procedure can only be conducted if the recipient and the donor are at least 4thdegree relatives.If there is no relativity, but there is a long-term acquaintance and friendship, the transplant surgery should be approved by the ethics committees that are affiliated to Health Directorates.The organ cannot be bought or sold under any circumstances.This is forbidden by law.