{"id":6380,"date":"2026-08-12T19:32:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T19:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mnitf.org\/?page_id=6380"},"modified":"2026-08-12T19:33:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T19:33:48","slug":"kidney-transplantation-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mnitf.org\/es\/kidney-transplantation-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Donaci\u00f3n en vida"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_empty_space\"   style=\"height: 3em\"><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div data-vc-full-width=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-init=\"false\" class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2 style=\"color: #8b1d1e;text-align: center\" class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_do_custom_heading\" >Donating a Kidney:<br \/>\nWhat You Should Know<\/h2><div class=\"vc_empty_space\"   style=\"height: 2em\"><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>If you are considering donating one of your kidneys, the information below can help you understand the process, the benefits, and the risks.<\/p>\n<p>The first successful kidney transplant took place in the mid-1950s, between identical twin brothers. Since then, living kidney donation has expanded well beyond close relatives to include extended family, friends, and even strangers.<\/p>\n<p>Living donor kidneys have a higher success rate than kidneys from deceased donors (people who have been declared brain-dead), and a healthy person can donate a kidney and continue to live a full, healthy life.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to donate to a loved one but are not a match, you may still be able to help them receive a living donor kidney through paired donation, described below. As with any donor, you must first be found eligible by the transplant team.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"margin: 16.0pt 0in 8.0pt 0in;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Types of Living Donation<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Directed donation<\/strong> \u2014 the donor chooses the recipient, usually a spouse, family member, or friend.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Non-directed donation<\/strong> \u2014 the donor gives anonymously to a stranger on the transplant waiting list.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paired kidney donation<\/strong> \u2014 if a donor and intended recipient are not a match, they can swap with another incompatible pair. Multiple pairs can form a \u201cchain\u201d of donations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Voucher donation<\/strong> \u2014 a donor gives a kidney now and receives a voucher a designated recipient can redeem for a kidney later. This is often used when someone will likely need a transplant in the future but the donor may not be eligible to donate at that time, due to age.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"margin: 16.0pt 0in 8.0pt 0in;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Benefits of a Living Donor Kidney<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Receiving a kidney from a living donor offers several advantages over a deceased donor kidney:\n<ul>\n<li>Shorter wait, better health at transplant. The national average wait for a deceased donor kidney is five to ten years, depending on blood type and transplant center location. A living donor shortens that wait significantly, and the longer a patient is on dialysis, the greater the risk of other health complications.<\/li>\n<li>Planned surgery. Transplant surgery can be scheduled in advance rather than performed on an emergency basis, as is often the case with deceased donor kidneys, allowing the patient to be better prepared medically.<\/li>\n<li>Minimal \u201ccold time.\u201d Cold time is the period a donor kidney spends on ice before being transplanted. A deceased donor kidney may sit on ice for hours; a living donor kidney is transplanted almost immediately. Kidneys with less cold time tend to function right away and fare better long-term.<\/li>\n<li>Better function and longevity. Kidneys from living donors generally work better and last longer than deceased donor kidneys.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Evaluating the Potential Donor<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Every potential donor undergoes a complete medical evaluation. It begins with blood tests to check compatibility, including blood typing (A, B, AB, or O) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing, which confirms that you and the recipient share most or all of six key antigens (proteins on the surface of kidney cells).<\/p>\n<p>If you are found to be a potential match, the transplant team will take a complete medical history and perform a physical exam to confirm you are healthy enough to donate. If you are not a match, ask the team about paired donation.<\/p>\n<p>The evaluation typically includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>EKG and echocardiogram<\/strong>, to assess heart condition and strength.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chest X-ray<\/strong>, to check lung health.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Abdominal ultrasound,<\/strong> to image the abdominal area.<\/li>\n<li>Extensive <strong>blood and urine tests<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Psychological evaluation,<\/strong> to assess your understanding of and motivation for donating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Depending on your age, sex, and health history, additional tests such as a colonoscopy, mammogram, or Pap smear may be ordered.<\/p>\n<p>Donors must be in very good health \u2014 free of diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, cancer, and any history of mental illness \u2014 with both kidneys functioning normally and no significant excess weight. The full evaluation process can take several months to a year.<\/p>\n<p>Most important, you must be certain you want to donate. Many people find it helpful to talk through their feelings and concerns with a spiritual advisor, counselor, or other trusted source before deciding.<\/p>\n<p>If you decide to proceed and are cleared to donate, you will undergo a CT angiogram of the abdomen before surgery. This imaging shows the transplant team the anatomy and condition of the veins and arteries in your kidneys.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Types of Kidney Removal (Nephrectomy) Surgery<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>There are three surgical approaches to donor nephrectomy:<\/p>\n<h5>Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy<\/h5>\n<p>Leaves a three- to four-inch scar below the bikini line and three small punctures that heal quickly. Because muscles are generally not cut, recovery is more comfortable. The average hospital stay is about two days, with a return to work in two to three weeks. Due to its faster recovery, most transplant centers now favor this approach over open surgery. It may not be an option for donors who are significantly overweight or very thin, have had multiple prior abdominal surgeries, or have abnormal blood vessels around the kidneys.<\/p>\n<h5>Minimally Invasive Donor Nephrectomy<\/h5>\n<p>Also leaves a three- to four-inch scar. The muscles are separated but no rib is removed. The procedure takes about half an hour longer than open surgery, causes no damage to the kidney, and offers a faster recovery than the open approach.<\/p>\n<h5>Open Donor Nephrectomy<\/h5>\n<p>Involves an eight- to nine-inch incision through or below the twelfth rib, usually with removal of a portion of the rib. This approach is very safe and yields a kidney in excellent condition. It requires about three days in the hospital and six to eight weeks of recovery, during which you will be unable to work. The scar will fade over time.<\/p>\n<h5>Advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Less blood loss.<\/li>\n<li>Less post-surgical pain.<\/li>\n<li>Shorter hospital stay.<\/li>\n<li>Faster recovery \u2014 a return to daily activities within two to three weeks.<\/li>\n<li>A smaller, less noticeable scar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Disadvantages of Laparoscopic Surgery<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The surgery takes longer and is technically more difficult.<\/li>\n<li>Unexpected complications may require converting to an open procedure.<\/li>\n<li>Not every donor is a suitable candidate for this approach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Risks of Donation<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Kidney donation is a relatively safe procedure, but it is major surgery and carries risk. Possible complications include allergic reaction to anesthesia, infection, bleeding or the need for a blood transfusion, vascular complications (such as blood clots, hernia, bowel obstruction, or abnormal scarring), a temporarily collapsed lung, or unexpected complications requiring a longer hospital stay.<\/p>\n<p>A person can live a healthy life with one kidney, but longer-term risks after donation may include protein in the urine, high blood pressure, kidney disease, tumor development, or injury to the remaining kidney from trauma. In rare cases, donors have gone on to develop kidney failure \u2014 which is why careful screening is essential to confirm a donor is a suitable candidate.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Pregnancy After Donation<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Women can have children after donating a kidney but should wait at least six months to allow the body to recover. If you are considering donation and hope to become pregnant in the future, discuss timing with the transplant team.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Financial Costs<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Medicare or the recipient\u2019s private insurance covers the donor\u2019s evaluation, surgery, and post-operative care. It does not cover:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Time off work.<\/li>\n<li>Child care.<\/li>\n<li>Travel costs.<\/li>\n<li>Meals<\/li>\n<li>Other out-of-pocket expenses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Donating a kidney may also affect eligibility for affordable health, disability, and life insurance, and can raise complications for donors pursuing careers in the military, law enforcement, firefighting, or aviation.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Deciding to Donate<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Donating a kidney is a major decision. Talk openly with the transplant team, ask about the risks, and share any medical concerns or conditions. Gather all the information you need before deciding.<\/p>\n<p>At any point during the evaluation process \u2014 even up to the day of surgery \u2014 you may withdraw as a donor simply by telling your transplant coordinator or any member of the transplant team. Your decision will be kept confidential.<\/p>\n<p>It is illegal in the United States to exchange money for a donated organ; a kidney donation must be a true gift. For many donors, giving the \u201cgift of life\u201d becomes one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives. If it would help, ask the transplant team to connect you with someone who has donated a kidney.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_empty_space\"   style=\"height: 3.1em\"><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row-full-width vc_clearfix\"><\/div><div data-vc-full-width=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-init=\"false\" class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_empty_space\"   style=\"height: 3.1em\"><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row-full-width vc_clearfix\"><\/div><div data-vc-full-width=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-init=\"false\" class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_custom_1474543056562 vc_row-has-fill\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div id=\"sc_call_to_action_1354592033\" class=\"sc_call_to_action sc_call_to_action_accented sc_call_to_action_style_2\" data-animation=\"animated  normal\" style=\"width:100%;\"><div class=\"sc_call_to_action_info\"><h2 class=\"sc_call_to_action_title sc_item_title sc_item_title_without_descr\">\u00a1Ay\u00fadanos a salvar y mejorar las vidas de quienes padecen una enfermedad org\u00e1nica en etapa terminal!<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"sc_call_to_action_featured\"><div class=\"featured_bg\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/mnitf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/call_bg.png);\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sc_call_to_action_buttons sc_item_buttons\"><div class=\"sc_call_to_action_button sc_item_button\"><a href=\"\/es\/ways-to-give\/\" data-animation=\"animated  normal\" class=\"sc_button sc_button_square sc_button_style_filled3 sc_button_size_large\">DONAR<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row-full-width vc_clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Donating a Kidney: What You Should Know If you are considering donating one of your kidneys, the information below can help you understand the process, the benefits, and the risks. 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