Background: The demand for renal transplants is greater than the available kidneys. Live donation is one way of increasing the supply. Laparoscopic removal of the donor kidney appears to reduce morbidity for the donors. Some who are hesitant because of the morbidity associated with open nephrectomy are willing to consider the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.
Methods: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was offered to all but three donors since the commencement of the programme in 1997. Data were collected both prospectively and retrospectively for the first 120 donors. Venous and arterial anatomy was assessed preoperatively by computed tomographic angiography.
Results: All but four donor procedures were completed laparoscopically. Three of these were for bleeding that could not be safely controlled laparoscopically and the fourth was a planned conversion to deal with the renal vessels, in the first right nephrectomy. Two kidneys were lost due to arterial thrombosis and two underwent segmental infarction after the loss of one of two or three separately anastomosed vessels. Three recipients had delayed function and two of them required dialysis postoperatively. Other minor complications occurred but were uncommon.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy is safe for the donor and the transplant kidney. It offers the advantage of decreased morbidity for the donor, with a shorter hospital stay, earlier return to normal activity and, for some, early return to work.