*Purpose: To assess perioperative complication rates in African-Americans (AA) undergoing living donor nephrectomy in a large, single center program in the northeast.

*Methods: We performed a single center, retrospective review of our living donors from 2011-2019. The surgical approach (i.e. standard laparoscopy, laparoendoscopic surgery [LESS]), conversion rates and complications classified according to the Clavien Grading System were compared between AAs and other ethnic groups.

*Results: 1072 living donor nephrectomies were performed during the study period. 907 were LESS, 60 were standard, and 1 was performed robotic. The overall complication rate was 15.4% with a conversion rate of 13.6%. There was no significant difference between AAs (11.8%) and other ethnic groups (25%) in complication rates (p=0.87). This lack of difference persisted even when controlled for gender, hypertension, socioeconomic status, diabetes, and BMI. In addition, there was no difference in complication rate based on surgical approach (p=0.49). However, increased complication rates were observed if conversion to open approach occurred (p=<.0001).

*Conclusions: In contrast to a national study demonstrating higher perioperative complication rates in AA who underwent living donor nephrectomy, our single center data did not reflect that same trend. More studies will be needed to further elucidate if real differences exists with strategies to improve these outcomes.

« Back to 2020 American Transplant Congress