title: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy vs. open live donor nephrectomy: a quality of life and functional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have compared the quality of life (QoL) and functional recuperation of laproscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) vs. open donor nephrectomy (ODN) donors. This study utilized the SF-36 health survey, single-item health-related quality of life (HRQOL) score, and a functional assessment questionnaire ('Donor Survey').
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were sent to 100 LDN and 50 ODN donors. These donors were patients whose procedures were performed at The University Hospital and The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 46 (46%) LDN and 21 (42%) ODN donors returned the completed surveys. The demographics of the two groups were similar. LDN patients reported a more rapid return to 100% normal health (69 vs. 116 d; p = 0.24), part-time work (21.9 vs. 23.2 d; p = 0.09), and necessitated fewer physician office visits post-operative (2.8 vs. 4.4; p = 0.01). ODN patients reported shorter duration of oral pain medication use (13.4 vs. 7.2 d; p = 0.02). However, a greater number of ODN patients reported post-surgical chronic pain (3 vs. 6; p < 0.05) and hernia (0 vs. 2; p = 0.19). The overall QoL for both groups was comparable with the general USA population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study support the decisions of many kidney transplant centers to adopt LDN programs as standard of care.
authors.affiliation: The University Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0004, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Buell
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jill E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Natalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Dake
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Cavanaugh
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hanaway
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weiskittel
authors.forename: Rino
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Munda
authors.forename: J Wesley
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cardi
authors.forename: V Ram
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Peddi
authors.forename: Edward Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Zavala
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berilla
authors.forename: Marketa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clippard
authors.forename: M Roy
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: First
authors.forename: E Steve
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Woodle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome