Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy for kidney transplantation: The University of Maryland experience

The growing shortage of organs available for transplantation has resulted i n the increased use of living donors for kidney transplantation. Nearly all of the 250 transplant centers in the United States perform living donor ki dney transplants, usually via a retroperitoneal flank approach. A laparosco pic technique is now available for removal of kidneys from living donors th at is superior to the old approach. Potential benefits include less pain, s horter hospitalization, rapid return to normal activity, and improved cosme sis. The University of Maryland has the world's largest experience with thi s technique, having performed more than 300 procedures. Our experience indi cates that this procedure not only provides outstanding outcomes, but also provides the most cost-effective strategy to manage end-stage renal disease patients.