Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy

Live donor renal transplantation provides significant advantages when compared with cadaveric renal transplantation. Unfortunately, there are disincentives associated with donation including prolonged hospitalization, significant postoperative pain, and prolonged convalescence. With the advent of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, there has been an increase in live donation at centers performing the procedure secondary. Incentives provided by laparoscopic donation include a reduction in hospital stay, less postoperative analgesic requirements, and an earlier return to normal daily activities. Most importantly, graft function and survival are equivalent to open live donation. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is evolving to become the preferred method of procuring living donor kidneys.