[Renal live donor. Open and laparoscopic experience at La Paz Hospital]

Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy is a rare operation in our country because the complexity of the technique and the expansion of the cadaveric donor. We present our open and laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy from 1984.

From 1984 to 2007 we have done 84 live donor nephrectomies; 64 open, 20 laparoscopic surgeries. The transperitoneal approach is preferred in laparoscopy and lumbotomy for the open surgery.

In the open technique the operating time is 112 min (70-155), ischaemia time 20 seconds (15-47) and postoperative hospital stay 4,8 days (3-9). Laparoscopic cases, the operating time is 146 min (90-210), ischaemia time 3 min 15 sec (2-3, 25 min) and postoperative hospital stay 3,4 days (2-9).

The laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy is a difficult and demanding technique. It should be done by experienced team in laparoscopic renal surgery. The kidney from a live donor is a very good alternative for the cronic renal failure. It should be offered in our main hospitals.