Laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy with retroperitoneoscopic access - first case experience.

Background: Despite observed huge progress in understanding the immunological basis of transplantation and the development of new immunosuppressive agents that have significantly improved both -- the patient and graft survival, still the kidney donation from live volunteers remains the most consistent factor which affects the long-term survival. The conventional, open method of donor nephrectomy is associated with significant surgical trauma. The laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy (LDN) is the alternative for open approach.

Case Report: We present our experience of the case of laparoscopic removal of the kidney from a living donor. We applied retroperitoneoscopic access, the operation time was 210 minutes. Kidney was implanted shortly after LDN and its immediate function was observed. We have observed no serious postoperative complications either in donor or recipient.

Conclusions: We hope that this successful initial case of LDN will have a positive effect on cooperation between transplantologists and urologists, and on rate of kidney donation in Poland.