Is a High Body Mass Index Still a Risk Factor for Complications of Donor Nephrectomy?

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings 2015-06, Vol.47 (5), p.1291-1293
• Main Authors: Uguz, A, Unsal, M.G, Unalp, O.V, Sezer, T, Celtik, A, Sozbilen, M, Toz, H, Hoscoskun, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Body Mass Index; Creatinine - blood; Female; Humans; Kidney Transplantation; Length of Stay; Living Donors; Male; Middle Aged; Nephrectomy - adverse effects; Operative Time; Risk Factors; Surgery; Tissue and Organ Harvesting - adverse effects; Turkey
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.04.061

Abstract Background and Aim The incidence of obesity is increasing all around the world and Turkey is no exception. In Turkey, 80.1% of all kidney transplants performed in 2013 were living donor kidney transplants. In this study we compare the early postoperative complications of living kidney donors with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 to those with BMIs under 30. Patients and Method All donor nephrectomies performed at the Ege University School of Medicine Hospital between May 2013 and May 2014 were included in the study. Donors' demographics, preoperative BMI, operation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and perioperative blood creatinine levels were analyzed. Results There were a total of 72 donors, 50 of whom had a BMI below 30 (group 1), whereas 22 had a BMI of 30 or higher (Group 2). The median age was 47 (±12.6) and 52.2 (±8.4) for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The median BMI was 26.1 (±2.3) for Group 1 and 31.8 (±1.5) for Group 2. There was no significant difference in operation time ( P  = .980) between the 2 groups. There was no difference in the length of hospitalization with an average hospital stay of 3 days for both groups. No major complications were observed in either group. There was no difference in minor complication rates for both groups. Conclusion High BMI donors can safely donate their kidney with no significant increase in complication rates at high-volume transplantation centers.