When will I be admitted into the hospital?
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Generally, the kidney donor is admitted to the hospital on the morning of the scheduled surgery. Shortly after, you will be prepared for surgery. The recipient of your kidney also will be admitted on the morning of the scheduled surgery to prepare him or her for the transplant.
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It is very important not to eat or drink anything after midnight before your scheduled surgery.
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You should expect to stay in the hospital about 1 to 3 days after the surgery. Please bring a robe and any other items you would like to make your stay more comfortable.
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The kidney recipient will be located in the Transplant Unit, which is designated for transplant patients. The staff is experienced in meeting the needs of transplant patients and their families.
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You will be admitted to a nursing unit.
What happens before surgery?
The nurse will meet with you and your family to discuss what to expect before, during and immediately after surgery. Before you go to the operating room, you will be asked to:
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Change into a hospital gown
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Empty your bladder
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Remove your dentures or partial plate
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Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses
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Remove jewelry, makeup, nail polish and hairpins
To prepare you for the surgery you will have an intravenous tube (IV) inserted in your arm to deliver fluids and medication. An anesthesiologist will inject general anesthesia (pain-relieving medication) through your IV, which will make you go to sleep.
After you are asleep, the following will be done to prepare for surgery:
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A tube will be placed in your windpipe to help you breathe.
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A catheter will be placed in your bladder to drain urine.
What happens during the kidney donation surgery?
Kidney transplantation involves removing a healthy kidney from your body and placing it into a recipient’s body where it can perform all of the functions that a failing kidney cannot. Your kidney will be removed using one of two methods: laparoscopic nephrectomy or open nephrectomy.
Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a special camera called a laparoscope is used to produce an inside view of the abdominal cavity to remove a kidney. Laparoscopic kidney removal is considered minimally invasive because it requires three or four small (1-inch or less) incisions rather than one large incision in the abdomen.
(See Figure 1 below)
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During the procedure, carbon dioxide is passed through one of the incisions into the abdominal cavity to lift the abdominal wall away from the organs below, creating more operating space to perform the surgery. The pencil-thin laparoscope and surgical instruments are then inserted through the other incisions.
The surgeon will use laparoscopic instruments to separate the kidney. Once your kidney is separated, your surgeon will remove it through a non-muscle cutting incision in the bikini area.
Most people are eligible for laparoscopic nephrectomy. Your surgeon will complete a preoperative evaluation to determine whether a laparoscopic nephrectomy is appropriate for you. However, in a small percentage of cases, even approved laparoscopic procedures must be converted to open procedures.
During open surgery, the surgeon makes a 6- to 10-inch incision in your abdomen and removes a rib in order to remove the donor kidney.
(See Figure 2 below)
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Once your kidney is removed (using either surgical procedure), another surgical team will immediately prepare the kidney for transplantation into the recipient while your surgeon completes your procedure. In most cases, your donated kidney will begin performing the work of the recipient’s failed kidneys soon after the transplant.
How long will the procedure take?
Most kidney donation surgeries take 2.5 to 4 hours. Both laparoscopic and open donor nephrectomy procedures take approximately the same amount of time. However, donor patients who have had laparoscopic surgery experience significantly less discomfort, have a shorter recovery period and return to normal daily activities quicker than donors who have had traditional open surgery.
What happens immediately after surgery?
After the surgery, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where you are closely monitored. Your pulse and blood pressure will be checked every 15 minutes.
As you recover and "wake up" from the anesthesia, you may experience pain and/or nausea. The IV in your arm and neck will still be in place, and the breathing tube may still be in place. It will be removed once you are alert and breathing on your own.
After having anesthesia, it is important for you to change positions, cough and breathe deeply, and move your legs and feet. The nurse will help you with these activities.
You will have dressings over your incision sites. The nurse will check the incision sites frequently.
Your family may visit you during your recovery for short intervals. Once you recover from the anesthesia and your vital signs are stable, you will be transferred to a nursing unit.
Where can my family wait during my surgery?
Family members and friends are invited to wait for you in the Family Waiting Lounge.
This waiting area has a play room for small children, a television, reading materials and comfortable chairs.
The surgery takes about 2.5 to 4 hours. Visitors are encouraged to come and go as necessary. The Cleveland Clinic has several cafeterias and restaurants, a gift shop and a Health Information Library that may be of interest. We ask visitors to sign in and out of the waiting area so we can find them if necessary.
Your surgeon will meet and talk with your family after your operation.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 3/22/2004
