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Kidney donors operated on through navel are happier with results, says study

Category: Kidney Diseases

Poor results of blood testing for kidney function could be the first sign that an individual's kidneys may be ceasing to efficiently filter toxins from their bodies, and they may require a kidney transplant at some point.

Research from the University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that a new method of kidney removal, through a small incision in the belly button instead of the back, could be significantly advantageous to kidney donors. Patients who underwent the procedure said they had less pain following surgery, an easier time bending, kneeling and stooping, and felt better about how they looked compared to the old approach.

"If we as surgeons can safely improve the donation process for our living donors by perfecting less-invasive surgical options, we should embrace these new approaches," said associate professor of surgery and lead author Rolf Barth.

Signs that Mayo Clinic notes as indicators that an individual may need blood testing for kidney function include chronic nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, muscle twitches, high blood pressure, and significant changes in urine volume. The healthcare organization also notes that these symptoms could be the result of many other ailments.