LIVING RELATED KIDNEY DONORS: COMPLICATIONS AND LONG-TERM RENAL FUNCTION

Abstract

Sixty-two living related kidney donors were nephrectomized ring a 10-year period. The overall complication rate was, most complications being minor. Among the major nplications was one patient with pulmonary embolism and see patients with hepatitis. One female donor suffered a choneurotic reaction following rejection of the donated lney and she is still away from work, more than 2 years yaer. The other 61 donors were back to work within 2 to 18 ean 8) weeks. The mean serum creatinine levels increased μm 0.95 preoperatively to 1.15 mg/100 ml at the followup mination, which took place between 6 months and 9 years yaer nephrectomy. The mean increase in serum creatinine is higher in donors above 50 years of age (P< 0.02). The an creatinine clearance of the whole group decreased from to 90 ml/min. The mean increase in size of the remaining lney was 22%. Donor nephrectomy is a safe procedure with serious complications and the prognosis for the recipient excellent. Therefore, we consider transplantation from a nily member to be the treatment of choice in terminal mia.