Intraoperative Surgical Donor Complications in Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: Single Center Experience With Video Presentations

Laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy improves graft function and reduces morbidity. Intraoperative complications in donor nephrectomy are rare and can be avoided by basic precautions. We aimed to investigate intraoperative surgical complications through a video presentation and to emphasize protective measures.

This is a retrospective cohort study. We included patients who underwent donor nephrectomy between December 2015 and December 2025. All patients underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal donor nephrectomy. We obtained donors' medical data from the hospital system. We identified intraoperative complications recorded in the operation notes and obtained operation videos of complicated cases from hospital archives.

Our center performed 1011 living-donor nephrectomies. There were 816 laparoscopic left nephrectomies and 195 laparoscopic right nephrectomies. The mean postoperative hospitalization time for donors was 2.8 days (min-max: 2-5 days). The mean donor BMI was 28.35 (min-max: 19.33-41.73). We observed 68 (6.7%) complications. Videos of the complications are presented. One case required conversion to open surgery.

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is an advanced surgery with low complication risks. Experienced surgeons can manage complications laparoscopically.