Living laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Abstract

Given the nearly 60,000 patients waiting for renal transplantation, living donor nephrectomy has become a significant source of kidney donation supplementing the shortage of available cadaveric kidneys in the United States. The first laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LLDN) was performed by Ratner 10 yr ago with the aim of reducing the morbidity associated with the open procedure. Since that time, more than 200 institutions worldwide have gained expertise in performing LLDN. In 2004, it was estimated that more than 10,000 kidneys had been retrieved with laparoscopic assistance. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.