Preoperative hospitalization to hydrate living kidney donors can be omitted without sacrificing graft function

This prospective study was done to determine whether preoperative hospitalization for hydration of living kidney donors could be omitted without sacrificing graft function in the recipient. The study group consisted of 36 consecutive kidney donors who underwent donation on a "to come in" basis. Fluid management consisted of 1 l. lactated ringer's solution per hour beginning 2 hours preoperatively. The control group was hospitalized preoperatively for intravenous hydration of an equivalent amount of saline solution given for 12 to 16 hours. No recipient of the study group donors experienced delayed graft function. Furthermore, in that group immediate and longer term graft function, as defined by immediate graft output, serum creatinine on postoperative day 1 and nadir serum creatinine levels, was equivalent to or better than that in the control group. We conclude that a rapid infusion of saline solution in the immediate preoperative period can replace overnight intravenous hydration of living kidney donors, and that the result will be a significant reduction in overall hospital stay for the donor without compromise in graft function for the recipient.