BACKGROUND: Living-related donor kidney transplantation has become an important way to overcome the shortage of renal source. However, ethical and social factors lead to concern about the safety of live kidney donation. This study aimed to provide more evidence about the safety of living kidney transplantations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 148 living kidney transplantations were performed between 2000 and 2011. Living kidney donors underwent comprehensive pre- and post-operation inspections, including blood test, serum creatinine, blood urea, glomerular filtration rate and urine protein, and were regularly followed up after the operation.

RESULTS: All 148 operations were performed successfully, and none of the living related donors died, including 52 male and 96 female donors, with mean age of 49.8 years; 120 donors underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy, while the others underwent open nephrectomy. The mean follow-up was 59.6 months. The hemoglobin (HGB) decreased and had significant differences on day 1 and week 1 compared with pre-operation HGB levels. Blood urea increased significantly compared with pre-operation blood urea levels. Serum creatinine increased but did not exceed the normal range. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increased after the operation. No urine protein was detected in any donors.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that renal function in living related kidney donors is not damaged after uninephrectomy.

Keywords: Follow-Up Studies, Kidney Transplantation, Living Donors