Right-sided laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy: is reluctance still justified?
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) of the right kidney is performed with great reluctance because of the shorter renal vein and possible increased incidence of venous thrombosis.


METHODS
In this retrospective, clinical study, right LDN and left LDN were compared. Between December 1997 and May 2001, 101 LDN were performed. Seventy-three (72%) right LDN were compared with 28 (28%) left LDN for clinical characteristics, operative data, and graft function.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding conversion rate, complications, hospital stay, thrombosis, graft function, and graft survival. Operating time was significantly shorter in the right LDN group (218 vs. 280 min).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, right LDN was not associated with a higher number of complications, conversions, or incidence of venous thrombosis compared with the left LDN. Thus, reluctance toward right LDN is not justified, and therefore, right LDN should not be avoided.
Lind
May Y
MY
Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Hazebroek
Eric J
EJ
Hop
Wim C J
WC
Weimar
Willem
W
Jaap Bonjer
H
H
IJzermans
Jan N M
JN
D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D019520:Living Donors; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors