Kidney Transplant Donor Scar
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a healthy kidney from a donor and its transplantation into a recipient whose kidneys are no longer functioning properly. The process leaves a scar on the donor, the size and location of which depend on the type of operation performed.
urgical Procedure
The surgical procedure for kidney donation can be performed in two ways: traditional open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. In traditional open surgery, the surgeon makes a long, diagonal cut from just below the ribs on the back to a little below and near the belly button in the front. This gives the surgeon easy access to the organ and structures around it but leaves a scar that is 5 to 7 inches long.
On the other hand, laparoscopic surgery is less invasive and is the preferred method as it allows the donor to recover quicker. In this procedure, small incisions are made in the abdomen, through which a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera) and other surgical instruments are inserted. The kidney is then removed through one of these incisions.
Post-Surgery Scarring
Regardless of the surgical method used, the donor will have a scar post-operation. The largest scar, usually about 1520 cm long, will typically run across the right side of the lower abdomen. Sometimes, this scar may run along the left side of the lower abdomen. The size and location of the scar depend on the individual’s body and the surgeon’s technique.
Recovery and Long-Term Effects
The recovery period varies among individuals, but the usual hospital stay is 1 to 3 nights. Donors often report feeling bloated and constipated after surgery due to the anesthesia. They may also feel itching and some pain around the incision as it continues to heal. Heavy lifting is not recommended for about six weeks following surgery.
Living with a single kidney does not change life expectancy and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure. However, donors are encouraged to have good long-term medical follow-up with their primary care doctors. A urine test, a blood pressure check, and a blood test for kidney function should be done every year.
Emotional Impact
Donating a kidney can have a significant emotional impact. After donation, living donors often report a wide range of mixed emotions, from joy and relief to anxiety to depression. It’s important for potential donors to discuss these aspects with their healthcare providers before making the decision to donate.
In conclusion, while kidney donation leaves a physical scar, it also leaves an indelible mark of generosity, as it gives a second chance at life to individuals suffering from kidney failure. It’s a decision that should be made with full awareness of the physical and emotional implications involved.
