Kidney and liver living donors: a comparison of experiences

Living donor kidney transplantation is considered a safe and effective means to treat end-stage renal disease, and has now exceeded the number of deceased donor kidney transplantations performed annually. Living donor liver transplantation is more controversial and has received criticism in the medical and lay community. Studies focus on recipient outcomes and medical safety. The impact of the donation on donors is not well understood.

To compare experiences from both kidney and liver living donors, including their motivation, perceived risks, and postoperative experience.

Questionnaires about the donation experience were mailed to 70 patients who underwent laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and 85 patients who underwent hepatectomy at a large academic medical center. Results of kidney and liver donors were compared.

No differences were found in mean age, marital status, ethnicity, relationship to the recipient, and employment status of the 2 groups. Women were more prevalent in both groups. The most common motivating factor in both kidney and liver donors was "because it was family," 81% and 82%, respectively. Kidney donors describe the decision to donate as easy compared to the liver donors (P = .049). In neither group did donors feel pressure to donate or have family conflicts regarding their decision to donate. Both groups felt they were well informed of the risks. Neither group described unexpected problems, and neither group regretted their decision to donate and would do it again if asked.

Donors in both groups reported favorable outcomes. A greater concern for risk of death, bleeding, altered appearance, and infection existed among liver donors compared to kidney donors. The actual outcomes were better than the perceived risks.