A Prospective Study Comparing Quality of Life after Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy versus Open Donor Nephrectomy

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has advantages over open donor nephrectomy (ODN), with less bleeding and pain, and earlier discharge. However, the quality of life (QOL) has not been compared between these techniques. All consecutive donors undergoing left LDN or ODN from 2013 to 2015 at our center were included. The donors' QOL was measured with the brief World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Cosmesis was measured by the body image questionnaire, and patient satisfaction was scored on a verbal rating scale at 3 and 6 months. Of the 264 donors, 228 met the inclusion criteria (100 - LDN and 128 - ODN). The LDN group showed no difference in WHOQOL-BREF scores at 3 months, and significant improvements in the psychological and social domains at 6 months versus the baseline. The ODN group showed a significant decrease in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains at 3 and 6 months versus the baseline. Compared with the ODN group, the LDN group had better QOL scores at 3 and 6 months in all domains. The responses to the HADS questionnaire were similar between the groups at all time points. The mean body image, cosmesis, and satisfaction scores were significantly better in the LDN group. LDN minimized the negative effects of surgery on the donors' QOL, with improvements in the long-term psychological and social aspects versus the baseline. LDN was more cosmetic and was associated with higher satisfaction than ODN.