Editorial
Living Donor Kidney Transplantation
Abstract
Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT), reviewed in this issue of the Southern Medical Journal1 does indeed represent a major advance in the treatment of end-stage renal disease. Graft outcomes are superior compared with well-matched cadaveric kidney transplants and pre-emptive transplantation is possible, avoiding the need for dialysis. All of these benefits favor the recipient. One of the major concerns of LDKT has been the donor. In Edinburgh in 1960, following the first LDKT to be performed in the United Kingdom, the newspapers quoted the hospital superintendent as saying “I think [the donor and recipient] have a sporting chance of getting away with it.” Today, donor welfare is afforded the highest importance and this abiding principle has influenced the way in which LDKT has evolved.This content is limited to qualifying members.
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References
1. Paramesh AS, Killackey MT, Zhang R, et al. Living donor kidney transplantation: medical legal and ethical considerations. South Med J 2007;100:1208–1213.
2. Lumsdaine JA, Wray A, Power MJ, et al. Higher quality of life in living donor kidney transplantation: prospective cohort study. Transpl Int 2005;18:975–980.
3. Burnapp L, Lear P. United Kingdom Guidelines for Living donor kidney transplantation. Available at: http://www.bts.org.uk/Forms/Guidelines_complete_Oct05.pdf. Accessed September 26, 2007.
