Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy Yields Kidneys With Structure and Function Equivalent to Those Retrieved by Open Surgery

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 625 - 626
• Main Authors: Brook, N.R., Harper, S.J., Bagul, A., Elwell, R., Nicholson, M.L.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Digestive system. Abdomen; Endoscopy; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Kidney; Laparoscopy - methods; Laparoscopy - standards; Living Donors; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nephrectomy - methods; Nephrectomy - standards; Safety; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the urinary system; Tissue and Organ Harvesting - methods; Tissue and Organ Harvesting - standards; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Treatment Outcome; Endoscopic surgery; Structure function; Renal function; Living donor; Laparoscopy; Transplantation; Kidney; Medicine; Treatment; Urinary system; Nephrectomy; Graft; Endoscopy; Organ harvesting
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.12.292

The technical challenges of laparosopcic transperitoneal donor nephrectomy (LapDN) have raised concerns over the quality of the procured allografts. This study reports the anatomical and functional outcomes of kidneys retrieved from 60 live donors entered into a randomized controlled trial of open versus laparoscopic procurement. Open and laparoscopic donors were well matched for age ( P = .18) and body mass index ( P = .49). Operating time ( P = .0001) and first warm ischaemic time ( P < .001) were longer for the laparoscopic donors but total warm time was not different ( P = .52). Left renal vein length ( P = .14) and left renal artery length ( P = .38) were similar. No differences in right vessel length were observed. Rates of acute rejection did not differ, and recipient renal function was similar in the two groups. This study demonstrates that LapDN yields kidneys that are structurally and functionally equivalent to those acquired by the open operation. This data may go some way towards allaying concerns over the effect of laparoscopic procurement on live donor kidneys.