L aparoscopic nephrectomy is a new surgical technique for obtaining a kidney from a living donor. This technique is less invasive than the standard operation, and leads to shortened hospital stays and recuperation period. Many donors are out of the hospital after 2 to 3 days. In 1997, the UC Davis Transplant Center was first on the West Coast to offer this option. It is available to almost all living donors.
T here is no cost to the donor.
All of the expenses associated with the medical evaluation and the follow-up care for the donation itself are paid for by the transplant recipient's health plan. Janie Leon and donor Ron Spurlin, husband of Janie's niece. When Ron offered to be a donor I was amazed we were a match. It was meant to be. All rights reserved.