RETROPERITONEAL LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY OF NATIVE KIDNEYS IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Background. The purpose of this study was to compare retroperitoneal l aparoscopic nephrectomy in transplant recipients and in other patients scheduled for nephrectomy. Methods. From February 1994 to July 1996, 15 transplant recipients and 17 other patients underwent a total of 36 retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomies for various indications. O perative time, morbidity, and hospital stay were compared between the two group., Results. The average operating time for the 36 procedures was 95+/-38 min (range, 35-180 min), It was shorter in transplant reci pients (81+/-32 min) than in other patients (100+/-39 min, P<0.05), Th ere was one postoperative complication in the transplant recipient gro up. The average length of the postoperative hospitalization was 3.7+/- 1.4 days (range, 2-8 days). Conclusions. The retroperitoneal laparosco pic approach for nephrectomy is as safe and effective in renal transpl ant recipients as in other patients, Postoperative stay and delay to r esumption of oral immunotherapy are short, This approach has become ou r first-line approach for native nephrectomy in transplant recipients.