Living Donor Evaluation at Massachusetts General Hospital

Living Donor Evaluation is a comprehensive medical assessment for individuals considering donating an organ or organ portion to a transplant recipient. The evaluation focuses on donor health, compatibility, surgical safety and the potential risks associated with donation.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost depends on the type of organ donation, laboratory testing, imaging, compatibility testing, specialist consultations and other donor-specific assessments. A personalized cost estimate can be provided after specialist assessment.

Complete Description

What Is Living Donor Evaluation?

Living donor evaluation is a detailed medical assessment performed to determine whether an individual can safely donate an organ or organ portion.

Depending on the transplant program, living donation may involve:

• Kidney donation

• Liver donation in selected circumstances

• Other approved living-donor procedures

Who May Be a Living Donor?

Potential donors must undergo comprehensive evaluation to determine whether donation is medically appropriate.

Assessment may consider:

• General health

• Organ function

• Medical history

• Surgical history

• Blood type

• Compatibility

• Potential donation-related risks

Living Donor Medical Evaluation

The evaluation may include:

• Medical history

• Physical examination

• Blood tests

• Urine testing

• Imaging

• Organ-function testing

• Cardiac assessment when appropriate

• Other specialized investigations

Kidney Donor Evaluation

Potential living kidney donors may undergo testing to assess:

• Kidney function

• Blood pressure

• Urinary health

• Blood type

• Immunological compatibility

• Overall medical suitability

The donor's long-term health and safety are important considerations.

Liver Donor Evaluation

For selected living-donor liver transplantation, potential donors may undergo detailed assessment of:

• Liver health

• Liver anatomy

• Blood tests

• Imaging

• Overall medical condition

• Surgical suitability

The transplant team carefully evaluates potential risks before donation.

Donor Compatibility Testing

Compatibility assessment may include:

• Blood typing

• HLA testing where applicable

• Antibody testing

• Other transplant-specific laboratory assessments

The exact testing depends on the organ and transplant type.

Donor Imaging

Imaging may be used to assess the donor's anatomy and organ suitability.

Depending on the type of donation, imaging can include:

• Ultrasound

• CT

• MRI

• Other specialized imaging

Donor Psychological & Social Assessment

Living donation is a major medical decision. Selected donor programs may assess psychological and social factors to ensure the donor understands the process, potential risks and long-term considerations.

Independent Donor Assessment

Potential living donors should receive an independent assessment focused on their own health and safety.

The donor's decision to proceed should be voluntary and free from inappropriate pressure.

Living Donor Surgical Assessment

If a potential donor is considered medically suitable, the transplant team may discuss:

• Surgical procedure

• Recovery

• Potential risks

• Hospital stay

• Follow-up requirements

• Long-term considerations

Living Donor Evaluation Second Opinion

Potential donors may seek a living donor evaluation second opinion regarding:

• Medical suitability

• Organ function

• Compatibility

• Surgical risks

• Previous donor evaluation results

Relevant medical records and test results can be reviewed by specialists.

International Living Donor Evaluation

International patients seeking living donor evaluation in the United States should provide relevant medical documentation whenever available.

Useful records may include:

• Medical history

• Blood tests

• Kidney or liver function tests

• Imaging

• Previous surgical records

• Medication history

• Recipient transplant information

• Previous donor evaluation records

Complete documentation can help specialists determine the appropriate evaluation pathway.

Benefits of Specialized Living Donor Evaluation

A comprehensive donor evaluation may help:

• Assess donor health

• Determine organ suitability

• Evaluate compatibility

• Identify potential medical risks

• Assess surgical safety

• Explain donation and recovery requirements

• Support informed decision-making

• Provide a donor second opinion

Why Choose Massachusetts General Hospital?

Massachusetts General Hospital provides multidisciplinary transplant care involving transplant physicians, surgeons and other specialists who can assess both recipient and potential living-donor needs.

The donor evaluation process focuses on determining whether donation can be performed safely and appropriately.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Potential costs may include:

• Living donor consultation

• Medical evaluation

• Laboratory testing

• Compatibility testing

• Imaging

• Organ-function testing

• Specialist consultations

• Surgical assessment

• Follow-up evaluation

A personalized cost estimate can be requested following specialist assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is living donor evaluation?

It is a comprehensive medical assessment used to determine whether a person can safely donate an organ or organ portion to a transplant recipient.

2. Can a living person donate a kidney?

Yes. Selected healthy individuals may be evaluated for living kidney donation after comprehensive medical and surgical assessment.

3. Can part of a liver be donated while the donor is alive?

In selected transplant programs, a suitable living donor may donate a portion of the liver after detailed medical and surgical evaluation.

4. Does the donor evaluation protect the donor's health?

Yes. A major purpose of donor evaluation is to assess the donor's health and identify potential risks associated with donation.

5. Can international donors undergo evaluation at Massachusetts General Hospital?

International patients may request evaluation subject to Massachusetts General Hospital's international patient processes, medical requirements and transplant-program criteria.

Product Details

Product Name: Living Donor Evaluation

Hospital: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brand: Massachusetts General Hospital

Country: United States

Specialty: Transplant Medicine

Service Type: Living Donor Evaluation

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Subject to applicable eligibility and appointment requirements

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States