title: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: short learning curve.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The learning curve of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) may represent a great technical challenge at centers with low volume of living donors. The number of LDNs required to overcome the learning curve is still unclear. Here we report the modality of approach to LDN at a low-volume living donor transplant center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the records of two groups of donors operated by two different surgeons between January 2002 and October 2005. We compared donor hospital stay, operative time, presence of multiple renal arteries, blood loss, operative details, and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first six operations (group A) were performed by a well-trained laparoscopic surgeon (A.P.) with a consolidated experience in the LDN procedure, attended by our training surgeon (R.D.V.) who conducted the other six cases (group B). No conversion to an open procedure was necessary and there were no major minor complications. Mean operative time was 267.5 (+/-55.9) minutes in group A and 300 (+/-43.4) minutes in group B (P = .28). Mean warm ischemia time was 125 (+/-61.6) seconds in group A and 189.2 (+/-18.6) seconds in group B (P = .035). Mean hospital stay was 5.3 days in group A and 5.6 days in group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LDN can be performed safely and efficiently in transplant centers with initial experience. A collaborative approach to this difficult procedure with a surgeon skilled in donor nephrectomy minimizes the risk to the donor and reduces the learning curve.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, University of Parma, Italy. r.dalval@unipr.it
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dalla Valle
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mazzoni
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Capocasale
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Busi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pietrabissa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moretto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gualtierotti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sianesi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome