Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Left Donor Nephrectomy for Living Kidney Donation
Srilakshmi Atthota, MBBS; Jessica Grasso, PA-C; Leigh Anne Dageforde, MD, MPH
Massachusetts General Hospital

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease and is associated with a better quality of life and survival compared to other renal replacement therapies. Compared to deceased donor kidneys, living donor kidney donation is associated with shorter wait times, improved patient and graft survival, and the possibility of preemptive transplantation.

After the initial learning curve, robotic-assisted living donor nephrectomy has similar outcomes compared to open and laparoscopic nephrectomy, and in some settings an overall decreased length of stay. This article presents the case of a robotic-assisted living donor nephrectomy, including evaluation, technique, and considerations for the surgeon preoperatively and intraoperatively.