Results of Retroperitoneoscopic Donor Nephrectomy at our Center

OBJECTIVE: Retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (RDN), a variation of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy technique, has been reported only by a few centers. Here, we aimed to present the preliminary results of RDN at our center.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Fifteen consecutive RDNs were performed at our center from December 2009 to June 2010. The data obtained included donor age, sex, body mass index (BMI), operative time (OT), warm ischemia time (WIT), blood loss, and intra- and postoperative complications.

RESULTS: Mean donor age was 42.2±9.4 years with a mean BMI of 25.6 kg/m2 . 53% (n=8) of the donors were females and 47% (n=7) males. The left kidney was procured in 73% (n=11) of the donors. The reason for procurement of the right kidney was multiple arteries on the left in all cases. Mean OT was 138±34 min, mean WIT was 170±58 s, and mean blood loss was 140±45 ml. One patient was converted to open surgery due to vena cava injury. All kidneys were successfully transplanted. The average creatinine level on postoperative day 7 was 1.02±0.26 mg/dl compared to 0.64±0.16 mg/dl before the operation. The mean length of hospital stay was 4±0.9 days. None of patients encountered postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION: RDN can be performed with acceptable intraoperative morbidity. The results of our series support the safety of RDN.