The impact of introducing laparoscopic donor nephrectomy to an established renal transplant program

Background Although the advent of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HLDN) has had a positive impact on the donor pool, there is still some concern about its safety. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a change in surgical access to live-donor nephrectomy on donor-related complication rates, the renal function of the donor, and the graft function of the recipient.Methods At our hospital, HLDN was introduced in 1998. Thereafter, we compared 49 consecutive donors undergoing open donor nephrectomy (ODN) between 1987 and 2002 with 57 consecutive donors undergoing HLDN between 1998 and 2002. Donor renal and recipient graft functions were assessed by measuring creatinine levels and urine output, with the addition of warm and cold ischemia time and dialysis requirements in the latter group. Data are presented as means (±SD) and analyzed with the Student t-test or Fishers exact test.Results The ODN and HLDN donors were comparable for age, gender, body mass index, renovascular anatomy, and preoperative creatinine. Estimated blood loss (370 ± 280 vs 168 ± 160 ml, p < 0.0001), time to resumption of oral intake (1.7 ± 0.5 vs 1.3 ± 0.7 days, p = 0.01), duration of intravenous narcotic requirements (23 ± 0.7 vs 1.7 ± 1.0 days, p < 0.0001), and hospital stay (4.2 ± 1.4 vs 2.9 ± 1.3 days, p < 0.0001) were significantly decreased after HLDN. There were no significant differences between ODN and HLDN in operating time (204 ± 46 vs 202 ± 49 min), donor-related complication rates (12.2% vs 14%), or donor renal and recipient graft functions.Conclusion The introduction of HLDN to an established renal transplant program led to an improved short-term outcome without any increase in donor-related complication rates or delay in recipient graft function.     

Laparoscopic versus conventional live donor nephrectomy: experience in a community transplant program

Fifty-nine consecutive patients underwent live donor nephrectomy for transplantation. Twenty-nine patients (Group I) had open kidney procurement, and 30 patients (Group II) had laparoscopic procurement. The mean operative time in Group I was 2:30 hours (range 1:55-2:59), whereas in Group II it was 3:01 hours (1:54-5:21). All kidneys functioned immediately after transplantation. The average warm ischemia time was not calculated in Group I; it was 3.9 minutes (2-15) in Group II. Intraoperative complications occurred in two patients in Group II. One patient had bleeding from an accessory renal artery. The second patient had a tear in the splenic capsule. No ureteral complications occurred in either group. Postoperatively one patient in Group I developed incisional hernia, one developed pneumothorax, and two developed atelectasis. In Group II one patient developed pancreatitis, one developed flank ecchymosis, and two had suprapubic wound hematomas. Using the laparoscopic approach the hospital stay decreased from 4.1 to 1.27 days (69%) (P < 0.001) and return to work decreased from 28.4 to 14.8 days (49%) (P < 0.01). Live donation increased by 67 per cent. We conclude that the laparoscopic procurement of kidneys for transplantation compares well with the open method. It offers several advantages that may increase the living donor pool.     

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: an update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is considered the gold standard for renal donation. In the hands of experienced laparoscopists it provides a safe and equally effective alternative to open nephrectomy, and recipient graft function has been shown to be equivalent regardless of the procurement method utilized. Complication rates and postoperative donor renal function are equivalent to that of open nephrectomy, whereas recovery time is significantly shorter and surgical scars more cosmetic with the laparoscopic approach. RECENT FINDINGS: Advances in preoperative imaging and laparoscopic technique have enabled surgeons to broaden the patient population considered for donor nephrectomy. Improved three-dimensional imaging facilitates operative planning and intraoperative dissection, and the retroperitoneoscopic approach has decreased operative time. Acquisition of laparoscopic skills has also enabled surgeons to perform donor nephrectomies on kidneys that previously would have been considered less desirable for donation (e.g. right-sided or with anomalous vasculature). SUMMARY: End-stage renal disease and the need for renal transplantation continue to be major medical concerns in the United States and worldwide. Advances in donor nephrectomy have reduced the demand for organs by increasing the potential organ pool while limiting risk to donors. As imaging and laparoscopic techniques continue to advance, it is anticipated that minimally invasive donor nephrectomy will continue to evolve. This review summarizes the developments to date.     

Laparoscopic adult donor nephrectomy for pediatric renal transplantation

To evaluate retrospectively our laparoscopic adult donor nephrectomy experience for pediatric transplantation. Since February 1995, 7 adult donors have undergone laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for pediatric renal transplantation (recipients younger than 18 years and weighing less than 30 kg). The outcomes of these donors and pediatric recipients were evaluated. The 7 laparoscopic renal donors had a median operative time of 306 minutes, median allograft warm ischemia time of 275 seconds, median blood loss of 200 mL, median hospital stay of 3 days, and 14.2% overall complication rate. No graft loss or patient mortality occurred. The pediatric recipients of the laparoscopic live-donor allografts had a median creatinine clearance level of 52.1, 52.1, 44, and 41.1 mL/min at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. The overall complication rate was 14.2%. The 1 and 2-year graft survival rates were 100%. No mortality occurred in the pediatric recipients. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is well tolerated by the adult donors and appears to provide acceptable recipient and allograft outcomes in the pediatric population.     

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Background: Kidney transplantation is a definitive treatment of end‐stage renal disease. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has been widely accepted around the world since its introduction in 1995 as a minimum invasive procedure. We report our clinical experience of 141 consecutive LDNs performed in two tertiary hospitals in Western Australia. Methods: From December 2000 (Royal Perth Hospital) and January 2005 (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital) to January 2009, 141 LDNs were performed in two tertiary hospitals by four urologists. All donors underwent rigorous work‐up prior to surgery. Donor age ranged from 23 years to 81 years (49.85 ± 11.30 years). The male to female ratio was 1 to 1.3. Donor body mass index (BMI) was 26.77 ± 4.31, and glomerular filtration rate was 96.25 ± 12.33 mL/min/1.73 sqm. The laparoscopic technique was transperitoneal approach exclusively. Results: All LDNs were performed successfully without hand a ssistance. The warm ischaemic time ranged from 3 to 11 min. The hospital stay was 4.16 ± 1.30 days. The overall complication rate was 17.0%, with three major complications (2.1%): a splenetic infarction, a chylous ascites and a pulmonary embolism occurred. Donors' demographic data (age, sex, BMI, side of surgery) did not show a statistically significant association with surgical complications. Conclusions: Transperitoneal laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy is a safe and effective procedure. Combined use of vascular stapler and Hem‐o‐Lok is very important for management of the renal artery stump. It is our current practice to administer anticoagulants during and post‐surgery for at least 2 weeks.     

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Since it first was performed in 1995, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has grown to be the standard of care in most transplant centers in the United States. This article reviews the current indications, selection criteria, surgical approaches, outcomes, and complications of LDN.     

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Background Several large series of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) have been published, largely focusing on immediate results and short-term complications. The aim of this study was to examine the results of LDN and collect medium-term and long-term donor followup. Methods We examined the results of two surgeons who performed 500 consecutive LDNs from 1996 to 2005. Prospective databases were reviewed for both donors and recipients to record demographics, medical history, intraoperative events, and complications. Patients were followed between 1 month and 9 years after surgery to assess for delayed complications, especially hypertension, renal insufficiency, incisional hernia, bowel obstruction, and chronic pain. Results Left kidneys were procured in 86.2% of cases. Mean operative time was 3.5 h, and warm ischemia time averaged 3.4 min. Hand-assistance was used in 13.8%, and conversion rate was 1.8%. Intraoperative complication rate was 5.8% and was predominantly bleeding (93.1%). Most (86.2%) of the operative complications occurred during the initial 150 cases of a surgeon, compared with 10.3% in the subsequent 150 cases (p = 0.003). Operative time decreased by 87 min after the initial 150 cases (p < 0.001). Immediate graft survival was 97.5%. Delayed graft function occurred in 3.0% of recipients, and acute tubular necrosis occurred in 7.0%. Thirty-day donor complication rate was 9.8%. Mean donor creatinine was 1.24 on the first postoperative day, 1.27 at 2 weeks, and 1.24 at 1 year. At a mean followup of 32.8 months, long-term donor complications consisted of 11 cases of hypertension, 9 cases of prolonged pain or paresthesia, 2 incisional hernias, 1 small bowel obstruction requiring laparoscopic lysis of adhesions, and 1 hydrocele requiring repair. Conclusions LDN can be performed with acceptable immediate morbidity and excellent graft function. Operative time and complications decreased significantly after a surgeon performed 150 cases. Long-term complications were uncommon but included a likely underestimated incidence of hypertension.     

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Live donor renal transplantation provides significant advantages when compared with cadaveric renal transplantation. Unfortunately, there are disincentives associated with donation including prolonged hospitalization, significant postoperative pain, and prolonged convalescence. With the advent of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, there has been an increase in live donation at centers performing the procedure secondary. Incentives provided by laparoscopic donation include a reduction in hospital stay, less postoperative analgesic requirements, and an earlier return to normal daily activities. Most importantly, graft function and survival are equivalent to open live donation. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is evolving to become the preferred method of procuring living donor kidneys.     

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

BACKGROUND: Living kidney donation represents an important source of organs for patients with end-stage renal failure. Over the past decade, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has replaced the conventional open procedure in many transplant centres. Using evidence-based methods, this study examines the current status of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. METHOD: A Medline literature search (PubMed database, 1999-2002) and manual cross-referencing were performed to identify all articles relating to laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Safety and efficacy criteria were analysed systematically for each study. Studies included were categorized using an evidence-based level grading system. RESULTS: Of 687 publications, 20 studies with level I-II evidence and 12 with level III evidence were analysed. Only one level I study could be identified. Level I and level II evidence suggests superiority of the laparoscopic approach in regard to postoperative analgesic consumption, hospital stay and return to work. Other safety and efficacy criteria, including donor and recipient outcomes, were similar between the two techniques. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has gained community acceptance by physicians and patients over the past decade. Despite a lack of strong evidence, such as large prospective randomized studies, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is likely to become the 'gold standard' for donor nephrectomy in the near future.     

腹腔镜活体供肾摘除术

腹腔镜活体供肾摘除术是近几年才在我国许多肾移植中心起步开展的微创取肾手术,该术式有效地增加了活体供肾来源,促进了现阶段我国活体供肾肾脏移植的开展.本文就腹腔镜活体供肾摘除术在国内外的发展现状进行综述.