Short-term Follow-up of Renal Function after Donor Nephrectomy

Park, Cheol Geun; Yoo, Seong Ha; Lee, Jong Jin; Shin, Ki Yong; Park, Hae Young; Lee, Tchun Yong; Woo, Young Nam

Abstract

PURPOSE: Eventhough cadaveric renal grafts are increasing, kidneys from living donors remain as the major mode of renal transplantations and there is a need to establish theoretical bases for securing the safety of the donors. Follow-up of donors was done for a year using several indices of renal function to evaluate the function of the remaining kidneys after donor nephrectomies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two hundred and sixty one living donors were included in this study. Blood urea nitrogen(BUN), serum creatinine, 24 hour creatinine clearance, 24 hour urine protein, and blood pressure were checked preoperatively. The same indices were checked at one, six, and twelve months after the operation. These indices were compared with those before the operation.
RESULTS
Although some increase was observed in serum BUN, creatinine, and 24hr urine protein, and decrease in creatinine clearance after donor nephrectomies, all were within normal limits, which did not show clinically significant differences. All indices did not deviate from the normal limits through-out one year.
CONCLUSIONS
Renal indices varied within normal limits and donor nephrectomies seemed to cause no significant harmful effect on the donors. Prospective and long term follow-up of the donors after donor nephrectomies are needed to ensure a high quality life of living donors.