Pure Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: A Single Institution Experience From a Middle Eastern Country

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Transplant Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN) is the preferred method for kidney transplantation.
• The Middle East faces significant challenges in brain-dead organ donation.
• This study presents the initial Lebanese experience with pure LLDN.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first Lebanese experience with pure laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN).
• To analyze the safety and efficacy of LLDN in a Lebanese center.
• To describe the surgical nuances of the pure LLDN technique.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 120 pure LLDN cases was conducted.
• Perioperative and postoperative data were collected and analyzed.
• Surgical details of the LLDN technique were documented.

Main Results:

• The LLDN technique resulted in low perioperative morbidity (3% complication rate).
• Average operative time was 146 minutes, with a 4-minute warm ischemia time.
• Mean hospital stay was 3 days, with no severe complications (Clavien-Dindo III-V).

Conclusions:

• The reproducible pure LLDN technique enables approximately 45 transplantations annually.
• The procedure demonstrates minimal morbidity and outcomes comparable to international series.
• This study supports the widespread adoption of pure LLDN in the region.