A meta-analysis of mini-open versus standard open and laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy

Mini-open donor nephrectomy (MODN) potentially combines advantages of standard open (SODN) and laparoscopic techniques (LDN). This article is a comparison of these techniques. A literature search was performed for studies comparing MODN with SODN or LDN. Nine studies met our selection criteria. Of the 1038 patients, 433 (42%) underwent MODN, 389 (37%) SODN and 216 (21%) LDN. MODN versus SODN: Operative time (P = 0.17), warm ischemia time (P = 0.20) and blood loss (P = 0.30) were not significantly different. Hospital stay and time to return to work were shorter for MODN by 1.67 days (P < 0.001) and 5 weeks (P = 0.03). Analgesia requirement and overall complications were less in the MODN group (P < 0.001) and (P = 0.03). Ureteric complications (P = 0.21) and 1-year graft survival (P = 0.28) were not significantly different. MODN versus LDN: Operative and warm ischemia times were significantly shorter for the MODN by 55 min (P = 0.005) and 147 s (P < 0.001). Analgesia requirement was greater for the MODN group by 9.62 mEq morphine (P = 0.04). No significant differences were found for blood loss (P = 0.8), hospital stay (P = 0.35), donor complications (P = 0.40) or ureteric complications (P = 0.83). MODN appears to provide advantages for the donor in comparison to SODN and also has a shorter operative time when compared with the LDN.