Adaptation of living donors after liver transplantation in South Korea: an integrative review

Purpose: This study aimed to examine postoperative adaptation among living liver donors in South Korea through an integrative review.Methods: This integrative review followed the five-stage framework proposed by Whittemore and Knafl. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed publications published from 1994 to 2025 was conducted across seven electronic databases using keywords such as “liver transplantation,” “living donor,” and “Korea.” The initial search identified 287 records, and 11 studies were included after screening, eligibility assessment, and quality appraisal.Results: The 11 included studies consisted of descriptive studies (n = 10) and one qualitative study (n = 1). The integrated findings on postoperative adaptation among living liver donors were as follows. First, donors experienced physical adaptation challenges because of discrepancies between their preoperative expectations regarding pain, recovery speed, and complications and their actual postoperative experiences. Second, donors faced psychosocial burdens related to surgical scarring, uncertainty about the future, and financial strain. Third, donors reported strengthened family relationships and increased life satisfaction after transplantation. However, existing instruments for measuring health-related quality of life lack the sensitivity needed to capture donor-specific experiences.Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need to develop counseling programs that provide realistic information about the physical adaptation of living liver donors.