Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the short- and intermediate-term outcomes of living-related kidney donors in terms of renal function and postnephrectomy complications at a single center in Pakistan.
Materials and methods: Our study included healthy donors who underwent unilateral nephroureterectomy for living-related renal transplant procedures at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (Karachi, Pakistan) between January 2005 and January 2006. All patients were evaluated for early postoperative complications and renal functions at last follow-up. The mean follow-up duration was 1.7 ± 1.3 years.
Results: A total of 256 living-related donors underwent nephroureterectomy during the study period, which included 142 men (55.5%) and 114 women (44.5%). The mean age of donors was 33.7 ± 10.0 years. Most donors were between 21 and 40 years old. Of total donors, most were siblings (n = 143, 55.8%), followed by offspring, parents, and spouses. Left nephrectomy was performed in 206 donors (80.4%) and right in 50 donors (19.5%). There were no deaths during transplant. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.37 ± 0.95 days. A total of 38 donors (14.8%) had one or more surgical complication. Hypertension developed in 25 (9.7%) and diabetes mellitus in 9 donors (5%). Creatinine clearance was > 90 mL/min in 96 (41%), 60 to 90 mL/min in 120 (51%), and ≤ 60 mL/min in 18 donors (8%).
Conclusions: Living-related donor nephrectomy remains a valuable source of kidneys for transplant procedures and carries a small risk. With careful donor selection and good surgical management, operative complications can be minimized.