Robotic assisted donor nephrectomy (RADN) has gained popularity in recent years as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN). RADN offers advantages including decreased pain and medication use, shortened length of stay (LOS), and superior cosmetic results. We sought to examine the short and long-term kidney function post-donation by surgical technique.

Methods: A single center retrospective review of 366 living donors between October 2011 and October 2017 was conducted. Estimated GFR was calculated with the MDRD equation using serum creatinine at pre-donation, time of discharge, 2 week, 6 month, 1 year and 2 years post donation.

Results: 179 RADN and 187 LDN were performed during the study period. Pre-donation age, BMI, race, and hospital LOS were similar in both groups. A higher percentage of females were present in the RADN group (74% vs 57% LDN). Pre-donation eGFR was similar in RADN and LDN groups at 90 ml/min and 89 ml/min respectively. Estimated GFR at 2 years post donation was available in 57% of donors, and was equivalent at 61 ml/min in both groups.

Conclusions: Robotic donation has several known advantages to potential kidney donors. Both short and long-term residual renal function does not appear to be impacted by surgical technique. This information can be useful to inform potential donors when discussing surgical options.

Table 1. Comparative Robotic Assisted and Laparoscopic Nephrectomies 2011-2017

*All values are calculated as mean and eGFR numbers in ( ) are number of patients with data at time point.

CITATION INFORMATION: Cross R., Pollinger H., Tan M., Mulloy M., Ommert T., Ray A., Klein C. Equivalent Post-Donation eGFR after Robotic Assisted versus Laparoscopic Living Donor Nephrectomy Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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