Changes in visceral flow induced by laparoscopic and open living-donor nephrectomy: experimental model

Increased intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopy changes visceral flow. The objective of the present study was to analyze the changes in peripheral and intra-abdominal flow induced by laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy in an experimental model. Twenty pigs underwent left-sided nephrectomy, 10 at laparoscopy and 10 in an open approach. Renal blood flow (RBF), hepatic arterial flow (HAF), portal flow (PF), and carotid flow (CF) were measured using an electromagnetic probe placed around these vessels. Comparative analysis between the groups demonstrated increased CF (mean [SD], 125.73 [41.69] vs 291.70 [51.52] mL/min; P < .001) and decreased PF (973.67 [131.70] vs 546.83 [217.53] mL/min; P = .001) and HAF (278.00 [94.71] vs 133.33 [112.32] mL/min; P = .03) in pigs that underwent laparoscopy compared with those who underwent open surgery; no significant differences were observed in RBF. In conclusion, laparoscopic nephrectomy induces increased CF and decreased total hepatic flow, at the expense of PF and HAF. With adequate intravascular volume expansion, no differences were observed in RBF between the laparoscopic and open approaches.