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Background: Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) often need to undergo native nephrectomy and are candidates for kidney transplantation. The necessity and timing of nephrectomy are controversial. Some authors recommend simultaneous bilateral native nephrectomy (SBN) as the preferred option in living-donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). These recommendations are based on small study populations. We therefore set out to study outcomes of LDKT with SBN, compared with LDKT alone in a larger single-center cohort., Methods: A consecutive series of 159 patients with ADPKD undergoing LDKT were included in the study. Of the 159 patients, 2 were excluded because of missing data, 79 underwent LDKT alone (group A), and 78 underwent LDKT with SBN (group B). Demographic data and intraoperative and postoperative data were collected from patient charts and the national kidney registry., Results: There were no differences regarding background data. Group B experienced significantly longer operating times (183.7 vs. 319.3 min, P<0.001), a greater need for blood transfusions (0.1 vs. 1.6 units, P<0.001) and plasma products (35.1 vs. 438.3 mL, P<0.001), and longer hospital stays (11.8 vs. 15.4 days, P<0.001). It also experienced more intraoperative events and postoperative complications but fewer reoperations/reinterventions. There were no differences in patient and graft survival rates., Conclusions: SBN in patients undergoing LDKT for ADPKD does not have a significant negative impact on patient and graft survival rates. It obviates a separate surgical procedure but requires longer hospital stay. It may be associated with more postoperative complications and risk of graft loss. These considerations should be communicated to the recipient and the donor.

Background: Hand-assisted and retroperitoneoscopic techniques reduce the risk of bleeding and intraabdominal complications in living donor nephrectomy (LDN). This study reports on our four-center experience, development, and learning curves from the first 413 LDNs using a hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic (HARS) technique., Methods: The first 413 consecutive donors operated on using HARS were included in the study. Donor demographics, perioperative and postoperative data, complications, and recipient outcomes have been compiled. The data were analyzed as a whole and separately for each center, looking at center differences and learning curves over time., Results: Significant differences were found in donor demographics between centers for the variables: age, body mass index, number of arteries, and side of operation. Mean operating time was 170.2 min, with significant differences between centers. Operating time was also significantly influenced by learning curves, sex/body mass index, and side of operation. Warm ischemia time differed significantly between centers and was influenced by center-wise learning and number of arteries. Overall conversion rate was 2.4% and differed significantly between centers. There was no mortality and no intraabdominal complications. Apart from the conversions and one pulmonary embolism, there were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. Overall 3-month graft survival was 99%, with 96% immediate onset of function and 1% ureteral complications., Conclusions: The HARS technique reduces the risk of intraabdominal complications. It can be implemented with excellent donor and recipient outcomes despite different population demographics and center/surgeon-related tradition and experience. On the basis of our experience, we recommend the technique to increase the safety margin of LDN.

Morphine-based analgesia is effective but can compromise donor safety. We investigated whether continuous infusion of local anesthetics (CILA) can provide sufficient pain control and reduce morbidity related to opiate analgesics after hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic (HARS) live donor nephrectomy. Forty consecutive live kidney donors underwent HARS and were treated with the ON-Q system providing CILA with 0.5% ropivacaine through two SilvaGard catheters placed in the retroperitoneal cavity and the rectus sheath, respectively. The case control group consisted of 40 donors matched with regard to sex, age, BMI and surgical technique. All donors were maintained on standardized multimodal analgesia combining nurse-controlled oxycodone treatment and acetaminophen. CILA donors had lower median cumulative consumption of morphine equivalents (CCME) (7 mg [0-56] vs. 42 mg [15-127]; p < 0.0000001), lower incidence of nausea (18 [45%] vs. 35 [87.5%] donors; p < 0.001), shorter time in postoperative care unit (160 vs. 242.5 min; p < 0.001) and shorter hospital stay (4 [4-7] vs. 6 [4-11] days; p < 0.001). In 32.5% of CILA donors the CCME was 0 mg (0% in matched control group, p < 0.001). CILA with 0.5% ropivacaine provides effective postoperative pain relief, reduces the need for opioid treatment and promotes postoperative recovery., (©2010 The Authors Journal compilation©2010 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.)

Background: Fibroblast growth factor -23 (FGF-23) is a key regulator of mineral metabolism. It regulates renal phosphate (Pi) reabsorption and calcitriol synthesis, and has an inhibitory effect on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. FGF-23 increases early in chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the regulation of FGF-23 in mild -to -moderate renal dysfunction is not fully understood., Methods: Nine healthy kidney donors underwent unilateral nephrectomy. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated from cystatin C and parameters of mineral metabolism: (Pi, ionized calcium, biointact PTH, intact FGF-23, calcitriol, and urinary excretion of calcium and Pi) were analysed before surgery, and one day, one week and three to six months after surgery., Results: On the first post-operative day, PTH increased due to a decrease in the calcium level. One week after nephrectomy, the FGF-23 level increased from 31.8 ± 12.3 pg/mL to 55.8 ± 15.1 pg/mL, while PTH, Pi and calcium levels were unchanged compared towith baseline. On follow-up, eGFR improved compared with its one-week value, and PTH and FGF-23 were unchanged compared towith baseline. The calcitriol level decreased but was in the normal range at all points in time. The total amount of Pi in urine did not change, while the calcium excretion decreased significantly., Conclusions: Pi homeostasis after nephrectomy is maintained by PTH on the first day. When serum calcium is stabilized and food intake resumed, FGF-23 rises, possibly in response to the Pi- load in relation to GFR.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and deep vein thrombosis after living donor nephrectomy in a center using extensive preoperative screening and perioperative venous duplex scan., Material and Methods: Thrombophilia screening and pre- and postoperative ultrasonographies were performed in 130 consecutive living kidney donors (laparoscopic 105, open 25). Donors were followed prospectively for at least 3 months. All donors received prophylaxis with the low molecular weight heparin enoxaparin and compression stockings. Donors with increased risk received a double dose of enoxaparin and the prophylaxis was continued for 6 weeks. Donors with venous thrombosis at discharge duplex also received prolonged prophylaxis., Results: The frequency of thrombophilia was similar to what can be expected in the Swedish population (four with factor V Leiden and one each with protein S deficiency, prothrombin gene mutation, and anticardiolipin antibodies). Preoperative duplex was normal. Three donors had small postoperative deep vein thrombosis. Twelve donors (9.2%) received an intensified and prolonged prophylaxis. No further thromboembolic complications developed in 3 postoperative months., Conclusion: With the present protocol for preoperative evaluation, perioperative duplex screening, and prophylaxis, the risk of postoperative VTE is low after living donor nephrectomy. Given that 9.2% had risk factors or developed deep vein thrombosis, the extraordinary situation of an operation being performed on a healthy person who has no therapeutic benefit and the low incidence of VTE in the present study, we recommend the presented approach to be implemented more broadly and that further studies are performed in larger cohorts.

Living donor kidney transplantation accounts for about 50% of the total number of renal transplantations at our center. From 1999 through 2005, 75 out of 220 living donor nephrectomies were performed with a laparoscopic technique (LLDN). In June 2005, we introduced the technique of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (HARS) for living donors. Since the introduction until the end of 2005, 11 out of 18 living donor nephrectomies (LDN) were performed with HARS. Reduced operation time was observed for the HARS group (mean, 166 minutes) compared with the LLDN (mean, 244 minutes). Two grafts showed delayed function, one in the LLND group and one in the HARS group. No major perioperative or postoperative complications were observed in the HARS group, whereas one patient who underwent LLDN developed severe pancreatitis. So far in our hands HARS is a fast and safe procedure with results comparable with open LDN. Compared to LLDN, we experienced reduced operation time together with the advantage of retroperitoneal access.

Background: The two major life-threatening complications associated with laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy are sudden severe bleeding and intestinal injury. A combined technique-hand-assisted and retroperitoneoscopic (HARS)-reduces the risk of these life-threatening complications. In this study, we report on our experience from the first 75 consecutive HARS operations., Methods: The data has been collected prospectively according to intention to treat and includes all consecutive donors operated with the HARS technique. Warm ischemia time, operating time, and blood loss were recorded. Complications, convalescence, and allograft outcome were followed postoperatively with a mean follow-up of 701 (range 60-1438) days., Results: The mean operating time was 138 (range 85-260) minutes and the mean warm ischemia time 175 (85-510) seconds. The operative time was significantly longer in male donors. The mean bleeding was 176 (50-700) ml. There were no conversions to open surgery. Major complications comprised one pulmonary embolus and one donor required 2 units of blood transfusion. One donor was reoperated due to suspicion of trocar hernia. Nine patients experienced minor complications (fever, n=4; urinary tract infection, n=2; chylous ascites, n=1; orchialgia, n=1; subcostal pain, n=1). All except two kidneys had immediate onset of function. Neither of these could, however, be attributed to the donor operation. One recipient experienced urinary leakage and one a stenosis. Recipient and graft survival were 99% and 96%, respectively., Conclusions: We conclude that HARS facilitates the procedure by enabling short operating times and at the same time significantly reducing the risks associated with endoscopic live donor nephrectomy.

Background: Living donor nephrectomy (LDN) is a unique surgical challenge where surgery is performed on a healthy individual. A new hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (HARS) technique was compared to transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (LAP) and open nephrectomy (OPEN). The aim was to examine the perioperative and postoperative morbidity, and the effects of the different surgical techniques with regard to renal function., Methods: Donors (n=36) were divided into three groups (HARS, LAP and OPEN) according to surgical technique. During the operations, renal function, hormone output, warm ischemia time (WIT) and operating time were recorded. Renal function, complications, convalescence and allograft outcome were followed postoperatively for one year., Results: OPEN and HARS groups showed similar operation times: 150 (95-218) minutes and 145 (124-225) minutes, respectively. LAP procedures took longer: 218 (163-280) minutes. OPEN had the shortest WIT at 91 (55-315) seconds; LAP had the longest WIT at 207 (100-319) seconds, with HARS at 180 (85-240) seconds. In all groups, glomerular filtration rate and urine production were decreased during surgery. Endoscopic techniques had a higher catecholamine release, and OPEN donors showed higher serum aldosterone. Endoscopic techniques showed shorter convalescence and less postoperative pain compared to OPEN. HARS had a smaller rise in creatinine than LAP, and HARS recipients a better creatinine clearance than the other groups in the early posttransplantation period., Conclusions: Evaluation of HARS shows that the operation is quick, the donors experience little pain, and recovery time is short. The renal function for donors and recipients is somewhat favorable to open surgery and transperitoneal laparoscopic approaches.

Background: Most living-donor nephrectomies are performed either by transperitoneal laparoscopy, with or without hand assistance, or by retroperitoneal open surgery, with or without video assistance. We therefore started to combine the benefits of these techniques: hand assistance to increase safety and control of the laparoscopic technique, and the retroperitoneal approach to minimize the risk of complications associated with the transabdominal approach. Herein, we report on our first 10 donors nephrectomized with hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopy., Results: Only left nephrectomies were performed. One donor had two renal arteries and two donors had retroaortic renal veins. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. Mean operating time was 155 min (110-230 min)., Conclusions: Hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopy in living-donor nephrectomy is a promising new method that could reduce the risks of traditional transperitoneal laparoscopy and should be further evaluated.

Background: Hand-assisted laparoscopy (HALS) was introduced to increase the safety of living donor nephrectomies. Herein we evaluate the first HALS living donor nephrectomies performed at our center., Methods: Traditional laparoscopic nephrectomies (TLS) (n = 11) and HALS nephrectomies (n = 11) were included in the study. One patient from the TLS group was excluded because the operation was converted to open nephrectomy. We compared the operating times (OT) and warm ischemia times (WIT) for the two procedures and calculated the operating costs., Results: Mean OT was 270 min in the TLS group and 197 min in the HALS group; thus, there was, a significant reduction of 27% with HALS. WIT was 297 sec for the TLS group and 214 sec for the HALS group, for a reduction of 28%. Costs were also lowered for HALS., Conclusion: In addition to shortening both OT and WIT, HALS enhances the safety margin of the procedure, especially during trocar placement. It is further helpful in preventing torsion of the kidney and controlling potential bleedings, as well as during vascular stapling and kidney removal.

Retrospective analysis and comparison of a small series of 12 laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LapLDN) procedures with 15 open live donor nephrectomies, all 27 performed in 1998, showed operating time to be significantly longer but sick leave shorter and hospital stay somewhat shorter in the LapLDN subgroup. One patient in the open procedure subgroup developed herniation and scar discomfort, and in one LapLDN procedure severe bleeding necessitated conversion to open nephrectomy. All kidneys in both subgroups manifested immediate resumption of function after transplantation. Though the LapLDN procedure has yet to be satisfactorily evaluated, the present findings were predominantly in its favour.