Dollie Currie, left, received a kidney from her sister Ruthie Deener. Deener was the first patient to have laparoscopic donor kidney surgery at Vanderbilt. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Family gift — Sisters participate in first laparoscopic kidney surgery
From left, Dr. Ravi Chari, Dr. Ken Chavin, and Dr. Will Chapman observe as Dr. William Nylander performs the first donor nephrectomy using laparoscopic equipment at Vanderbilt. (photo by Dana Johnson)
The approach calls for three very small incisions — a camera port which allows the surgeon to see inside the abdomen and ports for two graspers or “hands” of the surgeon to allow for cutting tissue in order to reach the kidney. (photo by Dana Johnson)
From left, Dr. David Shaffer, Dr. Ken Chavin, and Dr. William Nylander prepare Ruthie Deener’s donor kidney for transplantation into her sister Dollie Currie. (photo by Dana Johnson)
All Dollie Currie had to do was ask.
At least that’s what her 11 brothers and sisters told her after discovering that they could donate a kidney to their ailing sibling.
“We have a large family,” said Ruthie Deener, 45, of Memphis. “One day we were all sitting around talking about her options and someone mentioned the living-donor transplant. My sister hadn’t even thought about that. She had been so focused on needing a cadaver kidney.
“But she didn’t have to ask but one time,” Deener said. “I hurried to get my blood sent in, and I prayed that it would be a great match. And I don’t even like needles.
“My other brothers and sisters are kind of jealous that I was the first one to send my blood sample and the first to match,” Deener said smiling. “It was a true blessing. There really are no words to express the feelings of doing this.”
Currie, diagnosed with end-stage renal disease as a result of high blood pressure, had been on dialysis for one year. Initially she did not have any ill effects from her failing kidney, which made it difficult for her to believe there was a problem. But once her body began shutting down, she knew dodging treatment was no longer an option.
“I was told that without a transplant, I would have to be on dialysis for the rest of my life,” Currie, 47, said of her prognosis. “I knew that I had at least a three to four-year wait for a cadaver kidney. Once I started dialysis, I knew I could not continue with it. My faith was strong and I knew there had to be another solution to my problem.”
Not only did Currie find the answer within her own family, she was able to take care of Deener, the baby of the family, at the same time.
Deener was able to take part in Vanderbilt’s first laparoscopic donor kidney procedure—one that allows for a speedier recovery due to the less invasive technique. It also was the first of its kind in the region.
Dr. William A. Nylander Jr., associate professor of Surgery performed the four-hour procedure. He was assisted by Drs. Ravi S. Chari, associate professor of Surgery and William C. Chapman, associate professor of Surgery.
“It went really well,” Nylander said. “We’ve been working towards this for about four or five months. We plan on doing more.”
Nylander said that most donors are so dedicated to the idea of giving an organ that the type of operation is an afterthought. But if there is a way to lessen the effects of surgery and help ease recovery efforts—this procedure fits the bill.
The laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, used for several years in other centers in the United States, has several advantages including reduced analgesic requirement, reduced hospitalization and an earlier return to work. The approach calls for three very small incisions—a camera port which allows the surgeon to see inside the abdomen and ports for two graspers or “hands” of the surgeon to allow for cutting tissue in order to reach the kidney. A fourth incision measuring about 3 inches is used for kidney retrieval through an endobag, which helps to protect and cover the organ.
Nylander said the laparoscopic technique is similar to the one used for gall bladder surgeries.
Dr. David Shaffer, the new chief of the Division of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at Vanderbilt and professor of Surgery, observed the donor procedure prior to implanting the kidney into the recipient. Shaffer said the kidney functioned immediately and began making urine in the OR.
“All of the members of our division will learn the procedure,” he said. “But we want to have a few members concentrate on the technique first.
“We would love to offer this to the appropriate patients. I think the availability of this procedure will offer an advantage to donors and encourage more people in this region to consider this option.”
In the first 11 months of 2001, Shaffer said the Vanderbilt/VA program has performed 90 kidney transplants with 60 percent being living-donor. The national average for living-donor transplants is 50 percent, he said.
“Because of the static number of cadaver organs, living-donor transplant is the major area of potential growth,” Shaffer said.
Although the Memphis sisters did not know much about this particular transplant option, they both agree advocating for living-donor transplants as well as the new procedure are at the top of their agendas.
“I think I’ll become more active in spreading the word about donating,” Deener said. “I know people are not always sure about donating, but it’s a wonderful gift, even if you don’t know the person.”
For Currie, it’s hard to explain how she feels about her sister’s courage and love for her.
“It’s just wonderful,” Currie said. “I just can’t explain how unselfish it is. As a recipient, I hope I can help people and introduce them to the benefits of organ donation. It’s amazing that people can give the gift of life. It’s a relationship and bond that no one else can break.
“Someone who is living can give the gift of life right now. There is no need to wait until you or a loved one dies.”
Currie said her sister used her vacation time to help her. She said her gift to her sister and family is renewed energy and health.
“I feel fine,” Currie said with a broad smile. “I could tell a difference soon after. I knew I would feel better. I knew everything was going to be fine. It’s pure relief.”