Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic versus open donor nephrectomy.
BACKGROUND
This randomized controlled trial was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in comparison with short-incision open donor nephrectomy (ODN).


METHODS
Eighty-four live kidney donors were randomized in a 2 : 1 ratio to LDN (56 patients) or short-incision ODN without rib resection (28). Primary endpoints were pain relief and duration of inpatient stay.


RESULTS
There was no donor death or allograft thrombosis in either group. The first warm ischaemic time median (range) 4 (2-7) versus 2 (1-5) min; P = 0.001) and the duration of operation (160 (110-250) versus 150 (90-200); P = 0.004) were longer for LDN. LDN led to a reduction in parenteral morphine requirement 59 (6-136) versus 90 (35-312) mg; P = 0.001) and hospital stay (4 (2-6) versus 6 (2-9) days; P = 0.001), and earlier return to employment (42 (14-84) versus 66.5 (14-112) days; P = 0.004). Postoperative respiratory function was improved after LDN. There were more postoperative complications per donor in the ODN group (0.6(0.7) versus 0.3(0.5); P = 0.033). At a median follow-up of 74 months, there were no differences in renal function or allograft survival between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
LDN removes some of the disincentives to live donation without compromising the outcome of the recipient transplant.
Nicholson
M L
ML
Transplant Surgery Group, Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK. mln2@le.ac.uk
Kaushik
M
M
Lewis
G R R
GR
Brook
N R
NR
Bagul
A
A
Kay
M D
MD
Harper
S J
SJ
Elwell
R
R
Veitch
P S
PS
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine