Kidney donation is a gift of life for a person on the transplant waiting list.
Kidney transplantation in the United States began in 1954 with a transplant between identical twins. In 1968, Washington state’s first kidney transplant took place at University of Washington Medical Center.
Today, UW Medical Center’s Living Donor Program helps find and evaluate potential living kidney donors for people listed on the medical center’s transplant waiting list.
Becoming a living kidney donor
The Living Donor Program at UW Medical Center evaluates related donors and unrelated donors. A living related donor (LRD) is a blood relative who would like to donate one of their kidneys to a family member. A living unrelated donor (LURD) is a spouse, friend, or co-worker who would like to donate a kidney to a potential recipient. LURD donations also come from people who become altruistic donors through the Non-Directed Altruistic Donor Program.
Kidney donations are successful for both parties involved
Living donor transplants can provide recipients with an excellent quality of life for years! Success rates for LRD kidney donations in the first five years after transplant exceed 95 percent. Completely matched living donor transplants between siblings often function well even 25 years after transplant. One-half of the transplants from half-matched family donors or from living unrelated donors are functioning well 15 years after transplant, which compares to deceased-donor kidneys still working 10 to 13 years after transplant.
What is laparoscopic donor nephrectomy surgery?
This is a surgical technique that provides a better alternative to conventional open surgery when donating a kidney.
A laparoscopic surgery is performed using a viewing tube – a tiny telescope called a laparoscope – to see inside the abdomen. The telescope and other instruments for the operation are introduced into the abdomen through several very small incisions. A space is created inside the donor’s abdomen with carbon dioxide to allow the surgeon to see and move the instruments.
Why is laparoscopic surgery better than conventional surgery?
For the person donating a kidney, laparoscopic surgery means:
- Fewer complications
- Less post-operative pain
- Less pain medication needed, and
- A shorter recovery time for a faster return to normal activity or work.
When is open surgery a better option?
Sometimes, a laparoscopic donor nephrectomy might not be appropriate for some people, especially those potential donors who have had previous abdominal surgery or have unusual anatomy. Some potential kidney donors’ only option is an open nephrectomy surgery. The decision is based on the safety of the donor and successful retrieval of the kidney. The primary focus is donor safety.
Interested in becoming a living kidney donor?
If you have a patient who may be interested in becoming a living kidney donor, please contact the Living Donor Program by calling 206-598-3627.
Every potential living donor will be considered for an evaluation by the transplant team. It is very common for a donor recipient to have more than one family member or friend who would like to be evaluated as a potential living kidney donor.
For More Information
Please contact the Living Donor Program at University of Washington Medical Center by calling 206-598-3627 Monday through Friday.