Paired kidney donation question

[Eliza1979]

I’m thinking of doing the paired kidney donation program for my father to receive a kidney. Does anyone know if I do this, do I get a guarantee that he’ll receive one in x amount of time? It seems that the paired kidney program is the only way to guarantee that I’ll get a kidney- should I need one later in life?

[Kbristow]

Hi Eliza. Those are questions or your transplant coordinator. There are so many factors that determine when someone gets a kidney but I doubt there would be any guarantees that your father would get a kidney in a given time frame. But you can ask how long on average a patient with your father's profile (blood type, age, etc.) and geographic area has had to wait for a kidney, whether deceased donor wait list, or living donor chain. For me, when I was waiting for a kidney in 2015 the wait in my area was about 7 years (for deceased donor). About three hours from here at another transplant clinic/area, the wait would've been closer to four years. But there was no guarantee that I would get one in x amount of time. But since I had a living donor, it was just a matter of time before they could find the right matches. Once my donor friend was approved it took about six months. It was a ten-way chain (five donors, five recipients). The surgeries all took place the same two-day period although that's not always the case in other areas. If anyone got sick with a cold or anything that would delay all the surgeries. That happened once and surgery date was postponed. It eventually did all come together, and both my donor and I are well. He was told I believe that he would have priority if he ever needed a kidney.

May I ask if you have a risk factor that puts you at a higher risk group for needing a kidney later on in life? If so, it may be harder for you to donate a kidney to/for your father.

[Hidden]

Howdy...

My wife and I were part of PKD of 4 people — two recipients and two donors that was around sixth months in planning — COVID really slowed the entire process. All four surgeries were on the same day in September of 2020. And, all were done with the DaVinci robots.

Based on the paperwork I signed prior to the transplant, there was no guarantee that I would receive a kidney on the day of the operation. For example, if the donor's kidney was removed successfully and something happened with me (e.g. they found something that wouldn't allow me to receive a kidney at that time) that kidney would go to someone else. And, my wife's kidney would still be transplanted to the other recipient. Though, UIC performed so many labs/test/etc. that a problem at time of procedure was highly unlikely.

Also, I don't recall any guarantees to the living donor. I asked my wife and she didn't recall any such promise if she should have issue with her single kidney in the future. That's something your transplant clinic should be able to answer for you. My wife did have an incisional hernia after her surgery. Since it was related to her donation she was approved for robotic surgery immediately — by the world's leading surgeon in robotic surgery. He also performed part of my double nephrectomy. My wife now has 9 small micro incision (5 for donation and 4 for repair) and one larger, 4-inch incision (where the removed her kidney). She calls them her badges of honor.

[Gefilte63]

I was part of a 3-paired donation about 7 weeks ago (3 donors and three recipients). Surgeries were all done within 5 days (Friday, Monday & Tuesday). As for your needing a kidney later, make sure you get an answer that you can live with. The center I worked with said that if I need a kidney later I am bumped to the top of the list. Hospitals will vary; be sure you are comfortable with the answers you get.