The New Anterior Less Invasive Crescentic Incision for Living Donor Nephrectomy

Living-donor nephrectomy is a devoted procedure performed in a healthy individual; for these procedures, it is essential to complete the surgery with the lowest possible risk and morbidity and allow donors to regain their normal daily activity. To minimize anatomic and physiologic damage, we modified a surgical technique. Here, we report our experiences with the new anterior less invasive crescentic donor nephrectomy technique.

We retrospectively evaluated 728 donor nephrectomy patients who had the new anterior less invasive cresentic incision (n = 224), the classic open (n = 431), or the laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (n = 73) procedures. Demographic characteristics, preoperative and postoperative parameters, acute renal graft dysfunction, and firstyear graft and patient survival rates were compared between groups.

During the operation, the new cresentic incision living-donor nephrectomy allowed a safe and comfortable position for the patient and the anesthesiologist. Also, it procures safe access especially for grefts with multiple vessels. Patients had lower pain scores (P = .010), shorter hospital stays (2.25 vs 3.49 days) than those who received the classic open living-donor nephrectomy. Patients who received laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy had significantly longer mean operation time (P = .016) and warm ischemia time (P ≤ .001) than those who had the new cresentic incision technique. All groups showed similar rates of first-year survival and delayed graft dysfunction.

The new anterior less invasive cresentic incision open-donor nephrectomy approach is a safe, comfortable, effective, and less invasive modification of the living donor nephrectomy. Also, it procures safe access for grefts with multiple vessels.