Outcome of Kidney Transplantation With Transumbilical Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Donor Nephrectomy: A Single-Center Experience

Aim. The aim of this study is to present the outcome of kidney transplantation after laparoendoscopic single-site donor nephrectomy (LESS DN) compared with conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in a single-center experience. Methods. This retrospective study compares data from the initial experience with 110 consecutive LESS DN donors and their recipients (group A) with 205 consecutive conventional LDN donors and their recipients (group B). Results. This study compared 110 LESS DNs completed in an 18-month period with 205 LDNs completed in the immediately preceding 42-month period. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. In groups A and B, respectively, the incidence of immediate graft function was 90% vs 91.2%, slow graft function was 9% vs 5.3%, delayed graft function was 0.9% vs 2.9%, graft loss was 0.9% vs 2.9%, and death with a functioning graft was 0.9% vs 1.5%. The mean serum creatinine levels were 1.3 +/- 0.93 mg/dL vs 1.4 +/- 1.2 mg/dL (P = .447), 1.1 +/- 0.33 mg/dL vs 1.2 +/- 0.75 mg/dL (P = .184), and 1.05 +/- 0.25 mg/dL vs 1.1 +/- 0.39 mg/dL (P = .224) at 7, 30, and 365 days after transplantation. The estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 year was 88 +/- 18.2 vs 83 +/- 12.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P = .004). The mean donor operative times in groups A and B were 175.9 +/- 24.9 minutes vs 199.88 +/- 37.06 minutes (P = .0001), respectively, and the mean warm ischemia time was 5.2 +/- 1.02 minutes vs 3.64 +/- 1.38 minutes, respectively (P = .0001). The mean body mass index, the incidence of complex vascular anatomy, and the rate of complications were the same in the 2 donor groups. Conclusions. The outcome of kidney transplantation after LESS DN is comparable to conventional LDN. LESS DN can be employed as the primary approach for kidney donation with low donor risk and without compromising recipient outcomes.