Objective   To explore the influence of living donor renal transplantation on the safety of donors.

  Methods   Sixty-two donors who underwent living donor renal transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from April 2003 to April 2007 were selected as research objects. The operation time and length of stay of donors were recorded. The occurrence of postoperative complication and prognosis were observed. Postoperative follow up included serum creatinine(Scr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), glomerular filtration rate(GFR), plasma albumin, hemoglobin, blood pressure and the influence of kidney donation on life and work.

  Results   The operations of 62 donors were successful. One case developed pneumothorax during open nephrectomy and another case developed fat liquefaction and necrosis of incision. Both of them were cured after symptomatic treatment. Two cases developed pulmonary infection postoperation and were cured after the treatment of sensitive antibiotics and aerosol inhalation. The other cases recovered smoothly after operation. In 62 donors, the average postoperative length of stay was (8.2±2.6) d, and the follow-up time was (3.2±1.1) years. All of the donors survived without influence on life and work. No significant difference was observed in the changes of Scr, BUN, GFR, plasma albumin, hemoglobin, blood pressure of the donors before operation and 7 d, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years after operation(all in P>0.05).

  Conclusions   The living donor nephrectomy is safe and feasible. It is very important for assuring the safety of donors to examine living donor perfectly before operation, be careful during operation, and closely follow up after operation.