Robotic-assisted vs. laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a retrospective comparison of perioperative course and postoperative outcome after 1 year

Safety is of utmost importance in live donor nephrectomies. In this study, we describe our initial experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (RDN) in comparison with the standard laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN). We retrospectively reviewed 95 patients who either underwent RDN or LDN performed by a single surgeon from 2011 to 2016 at a tertiary institution. Donor perioperative course and postoperative outcome along with recipient outcomes were compared. Of the 95 cases, 73 were classified as LDN and 22 were classified as RDN. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, BMI, race, and ASA status. Operative times ( p