Donating A Kidney Can Save A Life. Experts Share How This Process Is Safer Than Ever

There are over 89,000 people on the kidney transplant list waiting to match with a donor and receive a gift that can change their life. Kidneys are one of the few organs that are able to be donated by living donors to patients living with kidney failure. Donating your kidney is a procedure that has become increasingly safer due to advancements in medicine, improved surgical techniques and a highly sophisticated donor selection process, according to a new study. Here, experts highlight everything you need to know if you are interested in becoming a living kidney donor.

How Has The Kidney Donation Process Improved Over Time?

The first ever living donor kidney transplant took place in 1954. At that time, donors underwent complex surgery that required a large incision - which often led to increased recovery times, longer hospital stays and a greater risk for complications.

"Today these procedures are minimally invasive and can even be performed robotically," says Rohini Prashar, M.D., a transplant nephrologist at Henry Ford Health. "We are able to remove the donor kidney with a smaller incision meaning there is significantly less risk complications or mortality related to the surgery."

In fact, according to recent studies, these minimally invasive surgical techniques have helped lower the risk of death associated with kidney donation surgery to 0.03%.

Surgical advancements aren't the only factors that have helped improve the safety of kidney donation. Having a highly selective donor process backed by national guidelines and research allows specialists to identify donors that are at the lowest risk of experiencing adverse outcomes after donating an organ.

"Because kidney donation is an elective surgery which the donor undergoes to help someone else, it is essential that we make sure we are not intentionally putting people at risk of health complications if they only have one kidney," says Dr. Prashar. "Generally, kidney donation surgery (donor nephrectomy) is a safer procedure than laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery or when a patient's kidney is removed for a medical reason (non-donor nephrectomy)."

Some of the factors that influence your ability to be a kidney donor include:

• Age (younger than 18 or older than 75)
• BMI
• Having diabetes
• Being on multiple medications to control high blood pressure
• Substance abuse
• Certain autoimmune diseases
• History of mental illness
• Genetic risk of kidney disease
• Overall kidney function
• Ongoing medical illness (related to cancer or the heart, lungs, or liver)

How To Stay Healthy After Donating Your Kidney

While donors are often most concerned how their life will change while functioning with one kidney, rest assured that one kidney is able to take on the function of two. However, Maria Zanini, NP, a transplant nurse practitioner at Henry Ford Health, warns that there is risk for complications if you try to return to your normal routine too quickly.

"Hernias are one of the most common issues that we see after surgery," says Zanini. "Patients often stat to feel better quickly and start doing things such as lifting which can increase your recovery time."

Before and after surgery, your care team will go over everything you need to know about maintaining your health with one kidney. This will include best practices to ensure a speedy recovery, frequently asked questions and lifestyle modifications to adopt going forward.

"As for long-term risks, we always advise patients that they have a slightly higher risk of high blood pressure and developing kidney disease," says Dr. Prashar. "This risk is only slightly higher compared to healthy counterparts who haven't donated a kidney, and we know that taking care of your overall health and well-being can help minimize this risk."

Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the best things that you can do to stay healthy after donating a kidney. A healthy lifestyle helps avoid risk factors that increase the incidence of kidney disease such as high blood pressure and diabetes. To do so, Zanini and Dr. Prashar recommend:

• Maintaining a healthy weight and BMI
• Staying active
• Drinking enough water
• Avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain supplements that can impact your kidney function
• Eliminating use of risky substances such as excessive alcohol and any tobacco products
• Attending yearly follow-up appointments with your provider

"Donors are uniquely able to give the gift of time and health to the recipient," says Zanini. "We feel strongly about giving great care to our donors because a lifechanging gift deserves lifechanging care."

Reviewed by Dr. Rohini Prashar, a transplant nephrologist who sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Reviewed by Maria Zanini, a transplant nurse practitioner who sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.