The donor surgery itself will be performed using one of two techniques. These techniques will be discussed with you well in advance of the procedure so you will know what to expect.
laparoscopic
donor nephrectomy
Laparoscopic nephrectomy is the newest, less invasive surgical procedure
for kidney donors and an alternative to the open operative procedure
described below. Laparoscopic surgery was developed in the 1980's and
had been coined "Band-Aid" surgery, though the term is somewhat simplistic.
The benefits of this procedure are its shorter recovery time and relatively
greater comfort during the recovery period.
| The laparoscopic technique utilizes several short incisions that are used to insert a specialized camera and other instruments that allow the surgical team to free the kidney from its surrounding tissues. One additional incision is placed in the lower midline of the abdomen. A special device is attached to this incision through which the surgeon is able to place his/her hand to remove the kidney. Because there are several smaller incisions and the midline incision, the surgeon is able to enter the abdomen without actually dividing muscles. There is less pain. Recovery is faster than after the tradional open procedure. |
Usually, donors can be released from the hospital in just a day or two.
The risk associated with laparoscopic techniques is that the surgeon has only limited control of the area of the surgery. This makes complications more of a possibility then in the open technique. However, with proper donor selection and the understanding that the team will 'convert' the 'closed' technique to the 'open' nephrectomy if there is any concern, the added risk is minimal.
the
open technique
The open operative technique is used most commonly throughout the country.
It involves an incision in the flank below the rib cage and the division
of a number of muscles. The kidney is removed through this incision
and the muscles and skin carefully closed. However, like any major open
surgery, this operation causes substantial post-operative pain, which
can be effectively managed with medication during the post-operative
period. The donor feels much better after 2 or 3 days and usually goes
home on the 3rd or 4th day after the surgery.
post-op
Immediately following surgery, the donor will be in the recovery room
until ready to be returned to his/her hospital room. Both the organ
donor and the organ recipient will be on the same specialized nursing
unit of the hospital.
