Analysis of donor selection procedure in 139 living-related kidney donors and follow-up results for donors and recipients.

In 1981 an active programme was started in our centre for living-related kidney donation (LRD). The structure of this LRD programme is described in this paper. Retrospectively the results of this LRD programme were studied. Between 1981 and 1988 139 potential living donors were evaluated. Of all potential donors 47 (34%) actually donated a kidney, including 24 HLA non-identical combinations. Follow-up was obtained until 1990. An acceptable incidence of morbidity and mortality for donors and recipients was observed. A high number of potential donors was excluded during the selection procedure (66%). They were often refused for medical reasons (29%), with a high incidence of renal dysfunction (16%). No long-term adverse effects of nephrectomy regarding decreased renal function, hypertension, or proteinuria were seen. Of all actual donors 23% experienced minor complications after donation. Living-related kidney transplants showed better graft function than cadaveric grafts.