Optimizing open live‐donor nephrectomy – long‐term donor outcome

Abstract

Donor nephrectomy in an open technique is a safe and reliable procedure with low morbidity. After a median post-operative period of 7 yr, however, 42% of the donors still report general impairment due to the intervention, although concrete somatic problems were only detected in a few cases. Nearly all these patients underwent surgery in a full flank position. Wound-healing impairments were also significantly more frequent with this surgical technique. This positioning should thus be avoided. The post-operative pain level was relatively high, but a marked improvement was achieved in the course of the observation period by optimizing analgesic management.