title: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy: the initial 3 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Successful laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy in 3 patients is described.
  
  
  METHODS
  The procedures were performed completely laparoscopically and the kidneys were extracted via 8 cm. infraumbilical incisions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 3 cases warm ischemic time was less than 5 minutes, and the renal vessels and ureter of the harvested kidneys were of adequate length for routine transplantation. Donors required minimal postoperative parenteral analgesia and were discharged home 1 to 3 days after the procedure. All harvested kidneys were successfully transplanted, and functioned well initially and at hospital discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy may be an alternative surgical modality to conventional open nephrectomy. Advantages include less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and convalescence, and a more desirable cosmetic result. Additionally, these advantages may encourage more individuals to consider live donation, resulting in an increase in organ supply.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Schulam
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Kavoussi
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Cheriff
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Averch
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Ratner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003289:Convalescence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement