An anterior extraperitoneal incision for donor nephrectomy that spares therectus abdominis muscle and anterior abdominal wall nerves

Purpose: To perform open donor nephrectomy with the least amount of body al teration and complication, a short extraperitoneal incision was developed t hat preserves the ipsilateral. rectus abdominis muscle and abdominal branch es of the intercostal nerves. Materials and Methods: Donor nephrectomy using the new incision was perform ed in 11 consecutive patients. Results: Morphine was required for pain relief;for 1 to 3 days (mean 1.8), patients tolerated diet at I to 4 days (mean 2.2) and postoperative stay wa s 2 to 5 days (mean 3.5). Complications were minimal, consisting of postope rative fever 1 day in duration. A viable kidney was provided for transplant ation in each case. Conclusions: The extraperitoneal, rectus abdominis muscle and nerve sparing incision resulted in a short course of pain medication, early diet tolerat ion and a short hospital stay.