Live kidney donors - assessment and follow up

Live kidney donation has increased steadily over the past decade, both in Australia and internationally. In some centres more than 50% of patients receiving a kidney transplant do so from a living related or unrelated donor. Live nondirected or altruistic donation has become more popular, as have paired exchange programs. General practitioners may be involved in pre-donation counselling and the assessment and follow up of otherwise healthy kidney donors.

This overview outlines the clinical pathway and considerations required pre- and post-live kidney donation and highlights some of the uncertainties of donor nephrectomy.

Live donation requires comprehensive physical, psychological and immunological assessment of the donor-recipient pair. Assessment requires an integrated approach that incorporates the skills of a number of clinicians and allied health practitioners. General practitioners have a crucial role in the counselling, assessment and follow up of live kidney donors.