Some Facts For Donors Regarding Living Kidney Donation

• The living donor undergoes extensive medical evaluation prior to transplantation, sometimes revealing previously undetected conditions.

• In suitable candidates, the kidney can be removed laparoscopically, with smaller skin incisions than traditional surgery, less pain after surgery, shorter hospital stay and quicker return to work.

• After donation, life expectancy is unchanged and the chances of developing high blood pressure or kidney disease are similar to that of the general population

• Healthy kidney donors can obtain and maintain life and health insurance at standard rates.

• The majority of kidney donors call their experience "exceedingly positive," would donate again if given the choice, and experience "enhanced self-worth and sense of well-being."

• Risk of death is generally the same as that associated with any major surgery performed under general anesthesia on a healthy patient. The major complication rate is two per 1000 cases and the minor complication rate is 8 percent.

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