[Living donor nephrectomy: The French guidelines from CTAFU]

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Surgical Oncology
• Transplantation Surgery

Background:

• Living donor nephrectomy is a critical procedure in kidney transplantation.
• Establishing clear surgical guidelines is essential for donor safety and recipient outcomes.
• Current practices require systematic evaluation and evidence-based recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose evidence-based surgical recommendations for living donor nephrectomy.
• To standardize the assessment and management of kidney donors.
• To optimize surgical techniques for improved donor recovery.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of Medline database.
• Evaluation of functional and anatomical donor assessment criteria.
• Analysis of surgical techniques and approaches for nephrectomy.

Main Results:

• Recommendations address legal/regulatory aspects and emphasize rigorous donor assessment.
• Left kidney is preferred for donation if vascularization and function are comparable, favoring longer vein.
• Minimally invasive nephrectomy offers faster recovery, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays.

Conclusions:

• French recommendations aim to enhance the surgical management of kidney donation candidates.
• Standardized guidelines improve donor safety and surgical outcomes.
• Evidence-based practices are crucial for advancing living donor kidney transplantation.