DOVER-FOXCROFT – With the average waiting period in New England for a cadaver kidney being four to five years, more interest is being shown by Mainers to become living donors.

Already this year, 22 people in Maine have successfully donated a kidney, compared to 26 living donations in 2000 and 20 in 1999, according to Carla Cutting, living donor coordinator of the Maine Transplant Program.

Anyone over age 18 who meets certain criteria for a healthy transplant can become a living kidney donor in Maine.

Those interested are given an initial interview over the telephone to rule out high blood pressure or kidney stones, which would eliminate the person outright. In the absence of these two conditions, the person then would undergo blood and genetic testing. When a match is made from these tests, a thorough physician examination is conducted of the potential donor, according to Cutting. The exhaustive examination is conducted to rule out any underlying problems, such as cancer, diabetes and a range of other diseases or medical conditions.

In addition, the donor would meet with a social worker to ensure that the family supports the decision and that the transplant would not adversely affect the individual financially. The donor also would meet with a doctor and the transplant coordinator.

After this, surgery is scheduled and additional testing is conducted before a visit with Dr. James Whiting, surgical director of the Maine Transplant Program. The donor must be aware of the risks and benefits of the transplant, Cutting said.

Today, the removal of a kidney from a living donor has been simplified. At Maine Medical Center, kidneys are removed in a procedure called laparoscopically assisted nephrectomy. Rather than making an 18-inch flank incision, three or four small incisions, about one-quarter-inch long, are made to remove the kidney, thus reducing recovery time, according to Cutting.

Rather than the traditional six to 12 weeks, the recovery time is shortened to two to six weeks, depending on the type of job the donor holds.

“They’re [living donors] doing something good for the recipient, and they’re freeing up a cadaver kidney for someone on the waiting list,” Cutting said.

Although kidneys from living donors last longer, work better and reduce the amount of anti-rejection medicine needed, the need is still there for people to donate organs at death, because so many are needed, according to transplant officials. It is estimated that nearly 47,000 people in the nation need a kidney, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

The risk of death for a living organ donor is 2 in 10,000, no different from any other surgery, Cutting said. As in other surgery, there may be complications such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection and blood clots, she said.

Transplants from living donors have been conducted in the United States since 1954 with few donor deaths recorded, according to information from UNOS.

“It doesn’t change your life,” Cutting said, since an individual needs only one-fourth of one kidney functioning well to live a long and healthy life. “It is lifesaving and enhancing,” she said.

More information about becoming a living donor can be obtained by calling (800) 877-5230. Press Option 2 and then Option 3 and either speak to Cutting in person or leave a message for her to return the call, or log onto www.mmc.org/nephrology/lapdnmeph.htm.