Single or double arteries in the remnant kidney after donation: influence on the long-term outcome of the donor.
BACKGROUND
A kidney with a single artery is preferred for donation. We wondered how often the donor is left with double or triple arteries, and whether this has any implications for long-term kidney function.


METHODS
The consecutive living donors from 1984 to 1988 were reevaluated for kidney function and outcome.


RESULTS
In total, 154 donor nephrectomies were performed with an open anterior technique. Ninety-eight patients were left with a single artery to the remnant kidney and 56 (36%) with more than one. Six individuals were left with 3 arteries. The mean age at donation was 48 +/- 12 years and mean age at reevaluation was 68 +/- SD 12 years. In the group with a remnant single artery, the mean preoperative serum creatinine level was 87 +/- 11 micromol/L, at 6 months it was 127 +/- 20 micromol/L, and in 2007 it was 90 +/- SD 23 micromol/L. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 67 +/- 18 mL/min. Thirty-three percent of donors (19/58) had developed hypertension. Among the group with multiple remnant arteries, the mean preoperative serum creatinine level was 87 +/- SD 11 micromol/L, at 6 months it was 131 +/- 21 micromol/L, and in 2007 it was 100 +/- 45 micromol/L. Estimated GFR was 64 +/- 16) mL/min. Twenty-eight percent of the donors (10/36) had developed hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
One third of kidney donors were left with double or triple arteries to the remnant kidney. The 20-year follow-up showed no significant difference in the renal function between the 2 groups.
Fehrman-Ekholm
I
I
Transplant Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden; Sophiahemmet, Stockholm, Sweden. ingela.fehrman-ekholm@vgregion.se
Möller
S
S
Steinwall
J
J
Nordén
G
G
Lennerling
A
A
Holmdahl
J
J
Kvarnström
N
N
Olausson
M
M