Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is a variation of nephrectomy that is performed on a healthy patient who is serving as a kidney donor.  The significant distinction between donor nephrectomy and nephrectomy for other indications is that in donor nephrectomy the renal artery, renal vein, and ureter are completely mobilized and preserved such that the kidney can be successfully implanted into the intended recipient.   

INDICATIONS & OBJECTIVES

Any patient undergoing donor nephrectomy will have undergone extensive work-up and medical clearance at an accredited renal transplant program.  Patients also undergo a CT scan to define the renal anatomy – the # and location of renal artery(s), Vein(s), and ureter(s).  For the purpose of donor nephrectomy, the left kidney is preferred, as anatomically the renal vein is longer than that of the right kidney, making a left kidney easier to implant into a recipient.

 

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