Technical considerations and pitfalls in laparoscopic live donornephrectomy

Recent developments in laparoscopic solid organ surgery suggest a possible reduction in postoperative discomfort and disability for kidney donors. Technical aspects and the influence of surgical experience in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy were evaluated.

The clinical outcome of 57 laparoscopic donor nephrectomies (LapNx) was compared with that for a historic control group of 27 open donor nephrectomies (OpenNx).

Three conversions to open nephrectomy (5.2%) were necessary. Postoperative complications were minor and comparable in both groups. Patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery demonstrated significantly less postoperative pain and a shorter hospital stay, but operative time and warm ischemia time were significantly longer. Graft survival after LapNx was 100% during a median follow-up period of 13 months. Operative time for LapNx decreased considerably with experience gained and seemed to be less for right nephrectomy. Stenotic ureter-bladder anastomoses occurred after LapNx in four patients during the first half year (7.0%), but this problem seemed to be resolved after modification of the technique.

LapNx is associated with less postoperative discomfort and improved convalescence.