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What is live donor nephrectomy?
Live donor nephrectomy is the removal of a kidney from someone who is alive and wishes to share one of their kidneys with a person who is in need of a kidney transplant

Who can be a live donor?
Any one who is in good health can be a live donor. Live donors may be blood related (e.g. parents, children, siblings), or emotionally related (e.g. spouse, friends) to the potential kidney transplant recipient.

What is the advantage of a live donor vs. a cadaver donor for a person who needs a kidney transplant?
Studies show that a live donor kidney transplants enjoy a higher success rate as well as a longer life span of the transplanted organ. Also, the long waiting period on a transplant list can be avoided

How can you become a live kidney donor?
Contact the transplant program that is working with the potential recipient. They will first perform a test to see if the live donor is blood-type compatible to the recipient. Should the potential donor be compatible, they will undergo further testing and be examined by appropriate physicians to determine their suitability as a donor.

Are there any long term effects from donating a kidney?
There have been no long-term medical conditions from live kidney donation identified. Surgical complications, such as pain, hernia, infection are rare. Live kidney donors are expected to lead normal lives post donation and are encouraged to practice good health habits and have a yearly health check-up.

How is a live donor nephrectomy performed?
There are two methods used to perform a donor nephrectomy: Open also known as conventional and Laparoscopic. Both methods are safe but each have their own advantages.

Open Nephrectomy has been the tried and true method used to retrieve thousands of live donor kidneys. It requires a flank incision made directly over the donated kidney. The tip of the floating rib on the affected side may also need to be removed in order to retrieve the kidney. Longer post-op discomfort and recuperation time has been associated with the Open Nephrectomy method.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy is a relatively new method to obtain donor kidneys. The surgery is done through a combination of three to five small incisions made over the area of the donated kidney and lower abdominal area. The surgeon inserts small instruments and cameras through the small incisions to perform the surgery. Because Laporoscopic Nephrectomies are less invasive, patients experience less long-term discomfort, quicker resumption of normal activities and less cosmetic effects.

The surgeon will make the determination on what method will be used to retrieve the donated kidney. Safety of the donor and successful retrieval of the kidney is always the surgeons primary focus. As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. Though rare, complications such as bleeding, infection. incisional hernias or numbness at site of surgery have been experienced post donation.

Where can I receive more information about live kidney donation?
UMC Transplant services is a great local resource center. The transplant team is well versed in the option of live donor kidney donation and can provide written information on donation. The Internet has a wealth of continually updated information on "live donor nephrectomy". We encourage all potential donors to fully understand the process of live donation so that a proper decision can be made.