Incision-related outcome after live donor nephrectomy: a single-center experience

Live donor nephrectomy is routinely performed. However, little is known regarding the incision-related outcome. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of incisional hernias (IH) and to assess body image and cosmesis scores after donation.

Questionnaires on IH, body image, and cosmesis were sent to all donors who underwent laparoscopic donor nephrectomy or mini-incision donor nephrectomy between January 2000 and December 2009.

In total, 444 replies were received (75 %). Seven donors (1.5 %) had undergone a surgical correction of an IH. Surgical site infection and steroid use appeared to be independent risk factors for the development of an IH (p = 0.001 and 0.021, respectively). Body image and cosmesis scores were excellent. Elderly donors had significantly higher cosmesis scores when compared with young donors (p < 0.001). Donor age of 60 years or higher, correction of an IH, and survival of the recipient appeared to be independent factors associated with a higher score on the cosmesis scale in multivariate analysis.

This is the largest study describing the prevalence of IH and cosmetic outcome after donor nephrectomy. The prevalence of IH after live donor nephrectomy is very low, and body image and cosmesis scores are excellent. Consequently, incision-related outcomes pose no barrier to live donor nephrectomy.