Living donor nephrectomy-quantifying the risk for the donor

Living kidney donation is on the rise, either due to cultural or ethical reasons or due to a lack of deceased donor kidneys. For adequately counseling of a potential living kidney donor, medical professionals must know not only the immediate risks of kidney donation but also possible long-term effects of kidney donation on the donor's physical and psychological well-being. This also includes a range of aspects such as quality of life, insurance issues, and family planning following kidney donation. This review article is based on a Medline and PubMed search and elucidates the risks living kidney donors face with regard to all aspects just mentioned. Living kidney donation does not end with the operative procedure—long-term cost-free physical and psychological follow-up should be offered to each donor for the gift he or she is willing to give to the recipient.