Comparison of Robot-assisted Donornephrectomy vs Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Donornephrectomy

Living donor kidney transplantation is superior to cadaveric kidney transplantation because of the better patient and graft survival rates, better cost-effectiveness and improved quality of life of the recipient. According to the current guidelines, the laparoscopic technique of donor nephrectomy is now recommended as "the preferential technique". The advantages of the hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) as compared with the conventional laparoscopy include tactile feedback, less kidney traction, rapid kidney removal and a shorter warm ischemic period. HALDN is nowadays the most frequently used technique in the U.S. for living donor nephrectomy. The laparoscopic techniques may have helped to increase the expansion of the donor pool. However, laparoscopic surgery have some disadvantages especially ergonomic inconveniences for the surgeon, which may result in decreased surgeons' performance and musculoskeletal disorders. Surgical robotics can play a role in extending surgical careers, by allowing surgeons to perform high volume laparoscopic surgery in a more ergonomic way. Robotic assistance in living donor nephrectomy can offer improved safety by enhanced control, accuracy, stability, and vision. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the robotic assisted donor nephrectomy (RADN) with the HALDN technique with respect to donor and recipient outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult, healthy condition

Exclusion criteria

• Children, not suitable for kidney donation