Living Kidney Donation

Kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure that replaces a failing kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is vital for individuals with kidney failure, allowing them to regain normal kidney function and improve their quality of life. 

Living Donor Kidney Transplantation:

• Involves a healthy individual donating one of their kidneys.
• Offers the advantage of shorter wait times and better outcomes for recipients.
• The donor can often recover quickly and lead a normal life with one kidney.

Living donors play a crucial role in addressing the growing need for kidney transplants, providing hope and improved health for many individuals facing kidney failure.The number of kidney disease patients waiting for a deceased donor kidney continues to increase in the U.S., which results in a waiting time of several years for most patients. However, the waiting time can virtually be eliminated by a living donor kidney transplant.

Living-related donors: Donors are healthy blood relatives of the patient requiring a transplant. The donor can be a:

• Family members such as a twin, sibling or parent.
• Child over 18 years of age.
• Other blood relatives (half-sisters, half-brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins).

Living unrelated or emotionally-related donors: Donors are not blood relatives and usually do not share tissue similarities with the recipient. The donor can be a:

• Spouse/significant other.
• In-law.
• Close friend.
• Adoptive parent.
• Adopted child (over the age of 18).
• Co-worker.

Altruistic kidney donors: Donors do not have any personal connection to the recipient. They are often influenced by personal experiences or motivated by a desire to help others through a selfless act of donating one of their kidneys to a person in need. 

Paired Exchange: When a potential donor is not a match for the intended recipient, the donor will donate their kidney to another recipient in exchange for a compatible kidney for their intended recipient. This is an option for living donors who want to donate, but may not be a good match due to non-compatible blood type, antibody levels, or other medical reasons.  The transplant center may arrange an exchange with another pair within the same center or another transplant center. The living donor team can discuss all options available if you are not able to donate to your intended recipient. 

Contact the UC Health Kidney Transplant team to explore becoming a living kidney donor: Call 513-584-7001, option 4, or register at https://omnilife.health/uc-living-donor/ to start the process.

The journey begins with an initial screening to determine if you are a suitable donor. This includes:

• Medical History Review: A thorough assessment of your health history.
• Physical Examination: A complete physical exam to evaluate overall health.

Once initial screening is complete, further tests are conducted to assess kidney function and overall health. These tests may include:

• Blood and Urine Tests: To check kidney function and compatibility with the recipient.
• Imaging Tests: Such as ultrasounds or CT scans to evaluate kidney anatomy.

After evaluation, if you are a suitable donor, you will meet with the transplant team, which includes:

• Transplant Surgeons: They will explain the surgical procedure and answer any questions.
• Transplant Nephrologists: They will review your medical history and evaluation results.
• Nurses and Coordinators: They provide support and information throughout the process.If you would like to talk to someone who has been a living donor, the transplant nurse will be happy to provide you with the name of a contact person with whom you can discuss the donation process.
• Living Donor Advocate: They will guide the donor through the evaluation process, ensuring informed consent and the potential donor's rights and best interests are protected.

Before surgery, you will receive instructions on how to prepare, including:

• Dietary Guidelines: Recommendations on what to eat and drink leading up to the surgery.
• Medication Adjustments: Guidance on any medications you may need to stop or adjust.

On the day of the surgery, you will be admitted to the hospital. The procedure typically lasts 2 to 3 hours and involves:

• Anesthesia: You will be given anesthesia to ensure comfort during the surgery.
• Kidney Removal: The surgeon will carefully remove one kidney through small incisions.
• Transportation: The kidney will be transported to be transplanted to the recipient, who has been prepped and ready to receive the transplant. 

After the surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery area. Key aspects of recovery include:

• Pain Management: Medications will be provided to manage any discomfort.
• Follow-Up Care: Most living kidney donors can expect to spend about 1-2 days in the hospital following surgery. The donor will also have scheduled appointments to monitor healing and kidney function.
  

• Initial Recovery: The first few weeks involve rest and gradual return to daily activities.
• Full Recovery: Most donors resume normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks, but complete healing may take several months.

Regular follow-up appointments are essential to ensure proper healing and kidney function. These visits typically include:

• Blood Tests: To monitor kidney function and overall health.
• Physical Exams: To assess recovery progress and address any concerns.

Your remaining kidney will adapt to its new workload. It typically increases its function to compensate for the loss of the other kidney. This adaptation helps maintain overall health and kidney function. Living kidney donors often lead healthy, active lives post-donation, with minimal long-term effects on their health.

• Life-Saving Impact: A living donor kidney can save the recipient's life.
• Improved Quality of Life: Recipients often experience better health outcomes and a higher quality of life compared to those receiving deceased donor kidneys. 
• Shorter Wait Times: Living donations reduce or eliminate the time patients spend on waiting lists for a transplant.

• Emotional Fulfillment: Donors often report a sense of pride and satisfaction from helping someone in need.
• Health Monitoring: Donors receive regular health check-ups, which can help maintain their overall well-being.

• Surgical Risks: As with any surgery, there are risks such as infection, bleeding, or complications from anesthesia.
• Recovery Time: Donors may experience pain and require time off work for recovery, typically ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months.
• Long-Term Health Considerations: While most donors lead healthy lives post-donation, they should maintain regular medical check-ups to monitor kidney function.

Understanding these benefits and risks can help potential donors make informed decisions about kidney donation.

The National Kidney Foundation offers comprehensive resources for kidney donors, including educational materials, support groups, and advocacy programs. Their website provides valuable information on kidney health, donation processes, and post-donation care.

UC Health has a dedicated living donor program that offers personalized support to guide potential donors through the evaluation process, surgery, and recovery. We also provide access to counseling services, ensuring donors feel supported at every step.

Most costs for the living donor are covered by the recipient’s insurance coverage. However, this may vary with individual insurance payors. If you have questions about payment, one of our financial counselors will be happy to assist you. The donor advocate will discuss your eligibility to receive funding from the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC).