Kidney Donation Requirements and Risks for the Living Donor

Kidney donors give a second chance at life to those suffering from kidney failure. Patients can receive kidneys from living or brain-dead donors; however, the kidneys received from living donors are usually more compatible and start working right after transplantation. In most cases, the living donor is a friend or a family member of the patient who donates their kidney voluntarily.

Fortunately, people can live a normal life with only one healthy kidney, so the kidney donation surgery is totally safe. However, the donors should know everything about the possible risks and complications, the procedure, the eligibility criteria, and post-op care before undergoing the surgery. In this article, we lit the way for living kidney donors so they can make a definitive decision.

Kidney Donation Requirement

Before a kidney transplantation, the donor must take different physical and mental tests to make sure the procedure will not jeopardize their health. In general, an eligible donor:

• Should have an active lifestyle and be generally healthy.
• Shouldn’t have any active or recurring infections.
• Must be between 18 and 60 years old.
• Shouldn’t have serious health conditions such as severe heart disease, untreated hypertension, or cancer.
• Must have a healthy kidney, without any stones.
• Should be a non-smoker.

Note that people with certain medical conditions, such as fatty liver disease (also known as MASH), hepatitis, or other serious diseases, are NOT eligible candidates for kidney donation. Also, the donor and recipient must have matching blood types to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney. Thanks to universal donors (type O), they shouldn’t have the exact same blood type; they just have to be compatible. Last but not least, the donor must be mentally prepared and willing to donate their kidney. In other words, they should volunteer to donate the organ without any pressure.

Risks and Complications of Kidney Donation

The kidney donation surgery is usually done laparoscopically, so it is considered a safe procedure. Luckily, only about 2.5% of donors experience serious complications after the operation.

Short-term side effects

• Blood clots or bleeding during or shortly after the operation
• Infection at the incision site
• Side effects from anesthesia, such as allergic reactions
• Minor damage to tissues near the kidney
• Pain around the incision area, which can be controlled with pain medication

Long-term side effects

• It can increase the chance of developing high blood pressure
• If the donor is pregnant, she may develop preeclampsia
• People with certain jobs, such as police officers, firefighters, or soldiers, can face limitations afterwards

Kidney Transplantation Post-Operative Care

The surgery will only be successful if the donor follows the postoperative instructions carefully and avoids certain activities. After the surgery, the doctors usually keep the donors in the hospital for 48 hours to monitor their vital signs. If the donor needs extra monitoring or is prone to serious complications, they should stay for two to four more days (4-6 days in total).

After leaving the hospital, they should do the following:

• Keep the incision site dry and clean to prevent infection.
• Avoid strenuous activities and lifting heavy objects for at least six weeks.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach or bending because it puts pressure on the surgical area and strains the stitches.
• Take prescribed medications as instructed.
• Get follow-up appointments and regular checkups to find and resolve complications early.

Kidney Donation Recovery Period

Depending on the donor’s overall condition, the recovery period usually takes between two and six weeks. Most donors can get back to work after eight weeks, but this depends on their type of job, how physically demanding it is, and their healing rate. During the first few weeks (up to six weeks), the donor should refrain from heavy physical activities. They are only allowed to walk a short distance at a moderate pace. After six weeks, they can start driving, and one or two weeks later, they can start light exercise if the doctor approves.

Kidney Donation Age Limit

In general, the preferred age range for kidney donation is between 18 and 60 years. However, the donor’s health condition is much more important than their age. For example, a healthy 65-year-old with no underlying medical conditions may be a better candidate than a 25-year-old with unmanaged health problems (like elevated blood pressure or diabetes).

Life after Kidney Donation

Having one kidney does not reduce a person’s life expectancy. People with a single healthy kidney can live a normal life because the remaining kidney can still filter waste and toxins from the blood. However, the remaining kidney becomes a bit larger and should work harder to filter the blood. Also, it is important to know that having one kidney does not affect fertility. Women can usually become pregnant one year or more after donation.

After a kidney transplant, the donor’s quality of life is no different from that of others. When they are completely healed, they can work, exercise, and live a normal life just like others. The most important point is that the donors should get regular checkups to make sure that their kidney is working properly. Also, living kidney donors must have a healthy diet that is low in salt and fat and high in fiber. 

Read more: Kidney Transplantation in Children and Adolescents

A Quick Review

Kidney transplantation is a surgical treatment in which a living donor gives one of their kidneys to someone with kidney failure. Of course, the patients can also receive a kidney from a deceased (brain-dead) person if their family decides to donate their organs. Kidney transplant in Iran follows the same principles.

A living kidney donor must have certain requirements, such as being in good overall health, having a compatible blood type, and being mentally and emotionally ready to donate the kidney. After the surgery, the donor usually needs about six to eight weeks to recover. After this period, they can return to their normal life, but they will need regular checkups.

Get a free consultation, precise treatment planning, dedicated support, and a personalized medical travel roadmap. Contact the experts at Iran health agency today.

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FAQs

Can donating a kidney cause disability or death?

No. Kidney donation has minimal side effects, and the chance of developing serious complications is around 2.5%. Fortunately, none of these complications leads to death or disability.

Can women donate a kidney, too?

Yes. All people can donate a kidney regardless of their gender. Women can have healthy pregnancies after donating, but sometimes, there is a small risk of pre-eclampsia.

What is a laparoscopic kidney donation surgery?

In this method, the surgeon makes small incisions instead of large cuts; therefore, the recovery is faster, and donors usually experience less pain.

How many days does a kidney donor stay in the hospital?

If everything is normal, the donor is discharged after about two days. However, in some cases, they should stay in the hospital for up to 6 days until their vital signs are stable and normal.