Renal Function in 29 Healthy Adults Before and After Nephrectomy

Twenty-nine healthy subjects, who served as renaltransplant donors, were studied to determine the effect of nephrectomy on blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine level, and renal clearance in the early postoperative period (1 to 18 days). A mean increase in BUN and creatinine of 26% and 33%, respectively, occurred. Clearance levels of endogenous creatinine and of paraaminohippurate were 70.5% and 70.2%, respectively, of the preoperative mean, indicating a rapid 40% increase in the function of the remaining kidney. No variation in renal function in relation to age of patient or postoperative day could be demonstrated in the early postoperative period.