19 year old's liver packs in

[J70]

J are you on the beer?

You can't be a living liver donor...

You can actually...

They generally take the right lobe, which regenerates in the donor fairly quickly. To start it was mainly adult to child, but they've been doing adult-to-adult for well over ten years. I don't know if you'd have the capability in Ireland, but I'd imagine some of the top English hospitals would have it.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/liver-transplant/livingdonorlivertransplant.html

[Puckoon]

I stand corrected. According to the mayo clinic site there's only been 270 operations since 2000.

Interesting idea, I understand the concept of regeneration, but the liver is a huge complex organ with various components and lobes. How do these characteristics regenerate from one portion of the right lobe?

Anyway, I still stand corrected.

[J70]

I stand corrected. According to the mayo clinic site there's only been 270 operations since 2000.

Interesting idea, I understand the concept of regeneration, but the liver is a huge complex organ with various components and lobes. How do these characteristics regenerate from one portion of the right lobe?

Anyway, I still stand corrected.

That was 270 up to 2000. I'd imagine there's been hundreds more since.

Not too sure about the details of the regeneration process, but its hardly surprising that it has such a capability, given that a major function of the liver is to filter out all the nasty and toxic shite that we consume!

[Maguire01]

There is a lady in our work who has liver cancer. She has young children and wouldn't be a heavy drinker. If push came to shove should this fella get the transplant thru the use of a media campaign and potentially go on to abuse the gift? Should a middle class, mother of four get preference over this working class fella with alcoholic tendencies?

I don't think class should be a factor at all.

[Sandino]

Theres another issue here for us all. We as a nation have a poor attitude to drinking alcohol. Too many people drink to get drunk. getting very drunk is seen as being great craic. It is almost seen as a weakness to drink in moderation. Also far too many parents let their children drink in their teenage years despite clear medical evidence that this increases the chances of developing a drink related problem. We are sitting on a time bomb of drink related health problems. This very young lad is a clear sign of that.

[Overthebar!]

sandino i have to disagree with you there. i find that the ones with the worst problems with drink are boys who have parents that never let them drink till they are 18 then they go to uni and go buck mad-not knowing their limits. personally i think the best thing is to let a 16/17 year old have a few and know their limits....

[Sandino]

OTB , I have to disagree with you. We  can all give examples as you have outlines but it now agreed that early use = increased cnace of problems later, now accepted medical fact.

[Sandino]

OTB, I am not saying theres no benefit in teaching young peole how to drink responsibily in the home. however there is a big difference in teaching how to use in a safe manner and just allowing your kids to drink at home. Many parents opt for the last option and hope for the best.

[Hardy]

Just remembered this case. Does anyone know how it went?

[Homer]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/liver-failure-teenager-on-road-to-recovery-1899201.html

[Hardy]

Thanks Homer. "A miracle recovery" - amazing. Anyway, good to know he made it.

[Tony Baloney]

Thanks Homer. "A miracle recovery" - amazing. Anyway, good to know he made it.

All down to the rejuvenative power of tonic wine. Probably.