Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Kidney Swap Might Abate Organ Shortage

Incompatible donor- recipient pairs find matches in strangers

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Oct 15, 2007 1:28 PM CDT

(Newser) – One woman desperately needs a kidney transplant; her husband wants to donate but is incompatible. Across the country, the same scenario. But the healthy spouses match the unhealthy spouse in the other couple and make a reciprocated donation to a stranger. About 230 such swaps have taken place since 2000, reports the Journal, and there's hope that the practice might ease organ shortages.

Experts estimate that swapping could add up to 4,000 transplants a year to the current 6,400 involving live donors, and docs are scrambling to create a national database. But surgeons are often territorial, and the system favors recipients who already have donors—leaving those on the deceased-donor waiting list behind, for an average of 5 years.

Doctors are hopeful that kidney swaps could add up to 4,000 transplants per year to the existing 6,400 involving live donors.
Doctors are hopeful that kidney swaps could add up to 4,000 transplants per year to the existing 6,400 involving live donors.   (Shutterstock)
A surgeon prepares to transplant a kidney. Doctors are hopeful that kidney swaps could add up to 4,000 transplants per year to the existing 6,400 involving live donors.
A surgeon prepares to transplant a kidney. Doctors are hopeful that kidney swaps could add up to 4,000 transplants per year to the existing 6,400 involving live donors.   (Shutterstock)
Doctors are hopeful that kidney swaps could add up to 4,000 transplants per year to the existing 6,400 involving live donors.
Doctors are hopeful that kidney swaps could add up to 4,000 transplants per year to the existing 6,400 involving live donors.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

New Kids Singer Saves Fan's Life

Should We Lift Ban on HIV-Positive Organ Donors?

Patient Gets HIV From Kidney Transplant

Donating a Kidney Won't Shorten Your Life

Deadly Carbon Monoxide May Also Be Good For You


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne