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Live donor nephrectomy and return to work: does the operative technique matter?
M Y Lind1, Y S Liem, W A Bemelman
1Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands. lind@hlkd.azr.nl
Surgical Endoscopy
|February 13, 2003
Summary
Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) allows for an earlier return to work compared to open donor nephrectomy (ODN) and hand-assisted donor nephrectomy (HA). Physician advice significantly influences return-to-work timelines after kidney donation.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Transplant Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Studies suggest earlier return to work after minimally invasive kidney donation versus open donor nephrectomy.
- Physician advice on return to work may influence outcomes, independent of surgical technique.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare return to work after open donor nephrectomy (ODN), laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN), and hand-assisted donor nephrectomy (HA).
- To investigate the influence of physician advice on return to work timelines.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire study involving 78 kidney donors from three hospitals in the Netherlands.
- Collected data on return to work and daily activities.
- Compared return-to-work timelines based on surgical approach and physician advice (3 months for HA/ODN, 6 weeks for LDN).
Main Results:
- LDN donors returned to work 5 weeks faster than ODN and HA donors (p=0.002, p<0.001).
- Complete return to work was 9 weeks sooner in the LDN group compared to ODN and HA groups (p<0.001).
- No significant difference in return to daily activities for unemployed donors.
Conclusions:
- Return to work is influenced by physician advice and surgical approach morbidity.
- Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy facilitates a quicker return to work.