Laparoscopic Live Donor Nephrectomy: Comparison of Outcomes Right Versus Left

To compare outcomes between right- and left-sided laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LDN). Left LDN (LLDN) remains the side of choice whenever possible because the left renal vein is longer; however, there are some donors in whom the right kidney is taken for donation due to anatomical or functional reasons. Right LDN (RLDN) is perceived to be difficult due to anatomical factors. Therefore, many surgeons have a bias for left kidney donation or will do right side donation as an open donor nephrectomy. At our institution, we routinely perform RLDN when indicated and herein compare the outcomes between right- and left-sided LDN.

From January 2007 to January 2017, 1850 laparoscopic donor nephrectomies were conducted at the Max Super Speciality Hospital. Of these, 168 were right-sided donor nephrectomies and 1682 were left-sided donor nephrectomies. All the donor case records were retrospectively reviewed; the operative time, warm ischemia time, intraoperative events, blood loss, and postoperative parameters were recorded. The kidney recipient data were also recorded.

The donor demographic characteristics were comparable between 2 groups. Among other variables, operating time was significantly less in RLDN (120 minutes) versus the LLDN group (146 minutes). Intraoperative estimated blood loss (118 mL in RLDN; 126 mL in LLDN), warm ischemia time (4.8 minutes in RLDN; 5.2 minutes in LLDN) and hospital stay (4.2 days in RLDN; 4.3 days in LLDN) was comparable. Vascular complications occurred in four patients in the RLDN group and six cases in the LLDN group. Recipient outcomes were comparable.

With adequate experience, RLDN can be accomplished in a safe manner with comparable outcomes to LLDN.