Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy versus open donor nephrectomy: Outcomes from a single transplant center

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is currently replacing open donor nephrectomy (ODN) across the world. Its advantages in terms of patient recovery are well known. We sought to compare surgical outcomes, particularly renal function during the post-nephrectomy period, for renal grafts procured by LDN versus ODN in our center. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all cases of living donor nephrectomies performed from 2004 to 2014 at Hospital Universitario La Paz. We compared demographic data; medical background, operative times, post-operative complications, and renal function follow up at 6, 12 and 18-month controls. RESULTS: A total of 114 living donor nephrectomies were performed: 85 LDN and 29 ODN. Demographic characteristics and medical background were similar among both groups, except mean donor age; 41.4 vs 47.4 years (p = 0.009) in the LDN and ODN groups respectively. LDN was used predominantly for left kidneys (83 out of 85), and ODN for right kidneys (28 out of 29). Although not significantly, mean operative time was shorter for the LDN group (169.37 vs 181.46 minutes; p = 0.2). Mean warm ischemia time was shorter for the ODN group (2.92 vs 2.36 minutes; p = 0.28). Differences between post-operative complications were not statistically different between both groups (p = 0.19). There were no conversions from LDN to ODN, and no re-admissions were registered. Length of stay was slightly shorter in LDN but not different (4.29 vs 4.92 days; p = 0.43). Renal function follow-up, measured with serum creatinine levels showed no difference over time (p = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Data from our series demonstrate that outcomes and renal function follow up over time were similar among both groups. In expert hands, this altruistic procedure can be performed with a minimally invasive approach without an increased complication rate or compromising renal function in donors.