Safety of glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficient donors in living right lobe liver donation

Background The literature lacks data on World Health Organization (WHO) class II and III deficient liver donors who underwent right hepatectomy during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods In this prospective cohort study, we compared the perioperative outcomes of 15 glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient living liver donors with a matched cohort of 39 nondeficient living liver donors undergoing right lobe donation. Results Out of 15 G6PD deficient donors, four (26.67%) donors had class II, and 11 (73.34%) had class III G6PD deficiency. The mean postoperative trough hemoglobin level was significantly lower in the deficient group than the nondeficient group (9.38 +/- 1.59 g/dL vs. 10.27 +/- .91 g/dL, p = .046). The mean peak indirect bilirubin level was significantly higher in the deficient group than the nondeficient group (2.22 +/- 1.38 mg/dL vs. 1.40 +/- .89 mg/dL, p = .047), and a similar trend was observed in total serum bilirubin (3.99 +/- 2.57 mg/dL vs. 2.99 +/- 1.46 mg/dL, p = .038). Biochemical evidence of hemolysis was found only in three (20%) deficient donors, but none of them needed a blood transfusion. No mortality was observed in either group. All other parameters, including demographics, operative parameters, graft characteristics, and hospital stay were comparable between both groups (p > .05). Conclusion G6PD deficiency with WHO class II and above should not be considered a contraindication for right lobe donation.