Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: An Update

Abstract

Purpose of the review: To review the outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in the published literature.

Recent findings: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has demonstrated to be a safe, efficient and effective technique of minimally invasive surgery, that offers multiple advantages to the surgeon, and good outcomes for the kidney donor and recipient. Although still a recent technique, it has been adopted by multiple centers worldwide. Robotic donor nephrectomy studies demonstrated consistent perioperative outcomes with low complication rates. Mean operative time was approximately 208 min, which is within acceptable limits. Mean warm ischemia time of 3.84 min remains well below the threshold for graft function preservation. Blood loss during is consistently low, below 150 mL, and conversion to open surgery remains rare, with a rate of 1.08%. These findings suggest that robotic-assisted procedures are feasible and safe for donor nephrectomy.

Keywords: Kidney donor; Kidney transplant; Living donor; Outcomes; Review; Robotic-assisted nephrectomy.