Initial experience with laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy

Background. Advances in laparoscopic instruments and video technology have made laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) feasible. We report our initial e xperience with this technique. Methods. A retrospective review of 30 open donor nephrectomies and our firs t 30 LDNs was performed to assess donor and recipient outcome and resource usage. Results, LDN was successfully completed in 26 donors (87%). The increased o perative time and costs were balanced by less postoperative pain, earlier d ischarge, earlier return to no normal activity and work, fewer incision pro blems, and less personal financial loss, Recipient outcome was not affected . Conclusion, LDN is technically feasible and safe, and recipient graft outco mes are equivalent. Convalescence is shortened and there is less personal f inancial loss. LDN offers significant benefit to the donor and may result i n increased organ donation.