Demographics of 353 laparoscopic renal donor and recipient pairs at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The demographics of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) have not been characterized in detail. The aim of this study was to review our LDN experience with respect to donor and recipient demographic characteristics and trends. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 6-year period, 353 patients underwent LDN. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify the donor and recipient demographic characteristics and trends associated with the procedure. RESULTS: Among the donors, the mean age was 41 years, with a predominance of females (59.2%), whites (76.2%), and blood relations (72%). Siblings were the most common related-donor-to-recipient relationship, and spouses were the most common unrelated relationships. Among the recipients, the mean age was 43 years, with a predominance of males (58.4%), whites (73.7%), and dialysis-dependent patients (55%). Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were the most common causes of end-stage renal failure. With the introduction of laparoscopy, there was a nearly twofold increase in the total number of live renal donations, and there was a significant expansion in the unrelated-donor pool. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic harvest of donated kidneys is associated with new trends that may help alleviate the current organ shortage.