Comparison of graft survival in live donor nephrectomy: hand-assisted laparoscopic v open procedures

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is associated with decreased morbidity while maintaining similar graft function in short-term follow-up compared with open surgery. We investigated hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) in comparison with standard open donor nephrectomy (ODN) in living donors.

Two hundred patients who received a living-donor kidney and were followed up for more than 1 year were enrolled. The procedure was performed exclusively on the left kidney through either HALDN or ODN from January 2001 to July 2004. The probability of graft survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis using a Cox regression hazard model was performed to identify the predictors of graft survival.

The mean operative time, estimated blood loss, warm ischemic time, and operation-related complications were compared. There was no difference in graft function. The cumulative graft survival at 1 and 3 years was similar in the two groups: 98% and 97%. Episodes of acute rejection were an independent predictor of graft survival.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in living donors is safe and effective with results similar to those of open nephrectomy with regard to graft function.