Maximizing the donor pool: left versus right laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy--systematic review and meta-analysis

To assess the current evidence regarding the efficiency, safety, and potential advantages of right-laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN) compared with left-LLDN.

We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to perform a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and prospective and retrospective comparative studies assessing the two techniques.

A single RCT and 28 comparative studies including a total of 32,426 cases were identified. Although left-LLDN was associated with lower delayed renal function [odds ratio (OR) 0.73; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.62, 0.87, p = 0.0003] and less thrombosis (OR 0.35; 95 % CI 0.13, 0.96, p = 0.04) in our meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis did not show any significant difference between the two groups. There were no other considerable differences between the two groups.

With enough surgical experience, right-LLDN can be performed with equivalent safety and efficacy. Although large-volume centers are routinely performing right-LLDN, there is under appreciation of the right side in smaller centers given the associated fear of poor outcomes and technically demanding procedure. Due to the inherent limitations of the included studies, future well-designed RCTs are awaited to confirm and update the findings of this analysis.