Frozen section evaluation of margins in radical prostatectomy specimens: a contemporary study and literature review.

The utility of routine frozen section (FS) analysis for margin evaluation during radical prostatectomy (RP) remains controversial. A retrospective search was conducted to identify RPs evaluated by FS over a 5-year period. The potential of FS to discriminate between benign and malignant tissue and to predict final margins was evaluated. During the study period, 71 (12.3%) of 575 cases underwent FS evaluation of margins, generating 192 individual FSs. There were 8 FSs diagnosed as atypical/indeterminate because of significant freezing, crushing, and/or thermal artifacts; 11 as positive for carcinoma; and 173 as benign. Two FSs classified as benign were diagnosed as positive for carcinoma on subsequent permanent section. Frozen sections' sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma were 85%, 100%, 100%, 99%, and 99%, respectively. Overall RP final margin predictive accuracy was 81%. Positive FS was significantly associated with perineural invasion on biopsy and extraprostatic extension and higher stage disease on RP, but not with the overall final margin status. The high FS accuracy supports its use to guide the extent of surgery. However, FS cannot be used to predict the overall final margin status. Recognition of the histological artifacts inherent to the FS procedure is important to ensure appropriate utilization.

Outcome of hand assisted laparoscopic bilateral native nephrectomy in transplant recipients.

PURPOSE: We explored the safety and reproducibility of hand assisted laparoscopic bilateral native nephrectomy. We also present our improvements to the surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 36 patients who underwent hand assisted laparoscopic bilateral nephrectomy at our institution between 2003 and 2010. In all cases the 2 kidneys were removed transperitoneally via a hand assisted laparoscopic technique. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 222 minutes. Pathological kidney size was 20 to 34 cm. Mean hospital stay was 3 days (range 1 to 13). Average estimated blood loss was 175 cc (range 50 to 200). No patient required intraoperative blood transfusion. There were no intraoperative complications and no conversions to open surgery. Postoperatively complications developed in 8 patients (22%), including temporary adrenal insufficiency and pulmonary embolism in 1 each, and myocardial infarction, superficial wound infection and loss of arteriovenous fistula function in 2 each. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification complications were grades 1, 2, 3 and 4a in 2, 3, 1 and 2 patients, respectively. A total of 18 patients with kidney transplants continued to have normal graft function after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous hand assisted bilateral nephrectomies are safe and reproducible. The complication rate is low and postoperative hospital stay is short compared to those in published open surgery series. Graft function was preserved in patients who underwent renal transplantation before native kidney removal.

Practical use of investigations in patients with hematuria.

OBJECTIVE: The majority of patients with microscopic hematuria undergo a complete evaluation resulting in negative findings. The outcome of patients with hematuria was analyzed in an effort to optimize the use of investigations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records for 404 patients who presented with hematuria were reviewed. Data were collected on demographics, type of hematuria, investigations, and final diagnosis. RESULTS: The hematuria was microscopic in 140 patients (35%) and gross in 264 patients (65%). In gross hematuria patients, 10% had urinary tract tumors and 12% had calculi. All patients with genitourinary tumors and 87% of patients with calculi had gross hematuria and/or > or =5 RBCs/HPF (red blood cells per high-power microscopic field) on urinalysis. The sensitivity and specificity were 94% and 6% for the dipstick urine test, 37% and 71% for urine cytology, 92% and 93% for computed tomography (CT), 50% and 95% for ultrasound scans, and 38% and 90% for intravenous pyelography, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that age and number of RBCs/HPF in the urinalyses were the only significant factors predicting genitourinary cancer. In patients < or =40 years old, there was one patient with malignancy and seven patients with stones. In older patients, there were 31 patients with malignancy and 32 patients with stones. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with <5 RBCs/HPF on three urinalyses are unlikely to have significant pathology and could possibly be followed up conservatively. Patients < or =40 years of age should have a noncontrast CT or ultrasound study if they present with microscopic hematuria, and a cystoscopy should be added if gross hematuria exists. In older patients, a pre- and postcontrast CT and a cystoscopy should be performed.

Laparoscopic right nephrectomy using a novel technique to excise an inferior vena-caval cuff in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic right nephrectomy has been performed using laparoscopic staplers to clamp and divide the renal vessels. In patients who have a tumor thrombus in the renal vein and in rightkidney donors, it is necessary to excise a cuff of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with the renal vein. We present a new technique for excising a cuff of the IVC and suturing it intracorporally using a new vascular clamp designed in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vascular clamp was designed to be completely inserted into the peritoneal cavity through the hand-port incision. The renal vein with a cuff of the IVC was then excised, and the defect in the IVC was sutured with a vascular stitch intracorporally. This procedure was performed in the animal laboratory using a porcine model. RESULTS: A total of 20 hand-assisted right laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed. In the first five operations, the clamp dimensions and angles were modified until the ideal design was reached. In the next five operations, different suture materials and needle sizes were tried to find the best combination for the intracorporal IVC sutures. The first and second operations were not completed because of the difficulty in applying the initial version of the clamp to the IVC. In the 4th and 6th operations, bleeding occurred from the suture line: because of a missed stitch in the back wall of the IVC in one case and a needle stick to the IVC in the other case. The last 14 operations were successful without any bleeding or injuries. Suturing of the IVC was completed in 13 to 22 minutes. CONCLUSION: Right hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy with excision of a cuff of the IVC using an intracorporal vascular clamp is safe and reproducible in a porcine model. In our hands, a learning curve of 10 cases was required.

Camptothecin analogues and vinblastine in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma: an in vivo study using a human orthotopic renal cancer xenograft.

To perform a series of in vivo cytotoxicity studies using a variety of doses of the comptothecin analogues 9-Aminocamptothecin (9-AC) and Irinotecan (CPT-11) with a human RCC xenograft tumor line (DU11983m). Using the subrenal capsule assay (80 nude mice) (NM-SRCA), 9-AC was evaluated at both low and high dosage levels (0.75 mg/kg and 1.25 mg/kg oral x10 doses over 12 days). Following an initial assessment of acute tumor inhibition, the study was extended to a survival assay with some cohorts receiving retreatment boluses on a once or twice weekly basis. CPT-11 was assessed at a dose of 100 mg/kg x3 over 9 days with weekly retreatment and two cohorts received 9-AC combined with Vinblastine (2.7 mg/kg) and Vinblastine alone, respectively. Tumor inhibition: tumor growth inhibition was significant (over 80%) with all cohorts receiving any camptothecin analogue and was virtually complete (>99% tumor inhibition) at the high dose 9-AC (1.25 mg/kg). Vinblastine alone achieved only moderate cytotoxic effect (46%) and induced the largest recorded cohort weight loss (toxicity). Survival analysis: the low and high dose 9-AC single agent cohorts were not significantly different; however, the CPT-11 cohort experienced maximal survival benefit. (P = 0.003) and the addition of Vinblastine did not enhance this survival advantage among the 9-AC cohorts. Control and single agent Vinblastine cohorts had the poorest survival with the treated group still surviving longer (P = 0.02). At 35 days after final assessment of acute tumor inhibition, all animals in both the control and Vinblastine alone cohorts were dead. None of the animals in any of the other cohorts (all of which had experienced a greater than 80% tumor inhibition) had died. No deaths occurred due to surgery or treatment toxicity and all deaths were deemed tumor related. CPT-11 and 9-AC produced a marked survival advantage in an orthotopic model of human advanced renal carcinoma and are identified as agents for further clinical assessment.

Surgical management of renal tumors.

Renal cell carcinoma is a relatively rare tumor, accounting for approximately 3% of malignancies in adults, but is the most common tumor of the kidney and the third most common tumor seen by urologists. Renal cell carcinoma is refractory to most traditional oncologic treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy. Because of recent advances in sophisticated radiologic studies, the surgeon can now make an accurate preoperative assessment of the nature and extent of kidney tumors. When evaluating renal tumors, the urologist looks for certain information to help in constructing a management plan. This article explores some of the points that contribute in the surgical decision-making.

Robotic versus open radical cystectomy: identification of patients who benefit from the robotic approach.

PURPOSE: To identify patients who would benefit from robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC), we report perioperative outcomes and complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared patients who underwent RARC to patients who underwent open cystectomy (OC) in our institution. Data included demographics, operative variables, and recovery. Complications were grouped into early (<30 days), intermediate (31-90 days), and late (>90 days). RESULTS: There were 58 patients in the RARC group and 84 patients in the OC group. The mean age was 66 ± 1.2 years in the RARC v 67 ± 1.2 in OC (p=0.53) group. Women constituted 21% in the RARC and 30% in OC (p=0.23) group. The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists scores were 2.9 for the RARC and 2.94 for OC (p=0.5). The mean operative time for RARC was 7.8 ± 1.5 hours v 6.6 ± 1.25 hours for OC (p<0.0001). Estimated blood loss was 276 ± 48 mL in RARC v 1522 ± 369 mL in OC (p<0.0001). Positive margin rate was 7% in RARC v 8% in OC (p=0.8). Early complications of any severity (Clavien scores) occurred in 43% in RARC and 64% in OC (p=0.02). There was one mortality in RARC and two mortalities in OC. Patients were grouped by age (≥ 70- and <70-years old). The older group consisted of 19 and 44 patients in RARC and OC, respectively. Both age groups in RARC had less early complications than OC patients (p<0.014). The older group in RARC had less early complication rate (17%) than the younger group in OC (59%). CONCLUSIONS: RARC has improved perioperative outcomes with equivalent oncological parameters when compared to open cystectomy. Patients ≥ 70-years old benefit from the robotic approach, particularly when compared to younger patients undergoing open cystectomy.

Evaluation of novel formula of PSA, age, prostate volume, and race in predicting positive prostate biopsy findings.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a formula that incorporates age, prostate volume, race, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level into a single score for prostate cancer detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed a PSA-age volume (AV) score by multiplying the patient age by the prostate volume and dividing it by the PSA level. The PSA-AV was developed using 1000 prostate biopsy specimens and was validated on 318 internal and 4406 external biopsy specimens. RESULTS: We analyzed 1000 biopsy specimens (mean age 63 ± 8 years, 63% white and 35% black, mean PSA 6.8 ± 4 ng/mL, mean prostate volume 41 ± 18 cm(3), mean PSA-AV 485 ± 304). Of the 1000 biopsy specimens, 556 (55.6%) had positive findings. A lower PSA-AV score correlated with a greater cancer risk (R(2) = 0.91). A PSA-AV score of 700 had a sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 35%, respectively. These values matched or exceeded the sensitivity and specificity for age-adjusted PSA level and a PSA cutoff of 4 ng/mL. Compared with using the age-adjusted PSA level, using a score of 700 increased the number of biopsies by 64 and detected 62 more cancers. Using a PSA-AV cutoff of 700, rather than a PSA cutoff of 4 ng/mL, led to 16 fewer biopsies with 7 additional cancers detected. Our data were internally and externally validated. CONCLUSION: According to our data, a PSA-AV score has shown to be a useful formula for predicting positive biopsy findings. A PSA-AV score of 700 is useful in ruling out cancer in younger patients and patients with small prostates, and in ruling in cancer in older patients and patients with a large prostate.

A simple method for estimating the optimum number of prostate biopsy cores needed to maintain high cancer detection rates while minimizing unnecessary biopsy sampling.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to provide urologists with a simple basis for optimizing the number of prostate biopsy cores that should be taken. METHODS: The records of 1024 patients who had undergone transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies were reviewed. The prostate volume was divided by the number of biopsies to obtain the volume/biopsy ratio (VBR). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the best predictors for positive biopsies. RESULTS: The analysis included 939 patients who had prostatic-specific antigen <20 ng/mL. The significant independent variables for positive biopsies were age, prostatic-specific antigen, and prostate volume and VBR (p < 0.001). VBR had the strongest correlation coefficient out of all significant variables. Stepwise analysis showed a consistent increase in cancer detection rates as VBR was decreased. The detection rates for VBRs of 2, 3, and 4 were 59%, 53%, and 50%, respectively. The detection rates dropped sharply to 42% and 30% for VBRs of 5 and 6, respectively. Cancers diagnosed with low VBRs were similar to those diagnosed with high VBRs in regard to Gleason scores and percentages of cancer in the prostatectomy specimens. CONCLUSION: Using VBR of 4 maintains high cancer detection rates without taking an excessive number of biopsy specimens. This is a simple and easy-to-remember method.

Novel technique for hand assisted laparoscopic right donor nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: Most surgeons divide the renal vein with a laparoscopic stapler during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. The right renal vein is usually shorter than the left one and using the stapler on the right side can result in a higher incidence of vascular complications for right kidney recipients. We present our experience with a new technique for hand assisted laparoscopic right donor nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a new vascular clamp to be completely inserted into the peritoneal cavity through the hand port incision in hand assisted laparoscopy. The renal vein with a cuff of the inferior vena cava was then excised. The defect in the inferior vena cava was sutured intracorporeally. RESULTS: A total of 80 kidney donors underwent hand assisted laparoscopic right donor nephrectomy using the new technique. Mean +/- SD operative time was 184 +/- 36 minutes. Operative time was decreased in the last 30 patients to 152 +/- 22 minutes. Intracorporeal suture time on the inferior vena cava was 16 +/- 3 minutes. No intraoperative complications were noted and there was no partial or total graft loss. Mean blood loss was 50 +/- 35 cc. Mean warm ischemia time was 4 +/- 2 minutes. Hospital discharge was on postoperative day 1 or 2 in 81% of patients. Graft function was normal in 78 recipients with a day 5 postoperative serum creatinine of 1.6 +/- 0.9 mg/dl. Two recipients showed delayed graft function and were treated medically. CONCLUSIONS: This technique for hand assisted laparoscopic right donor nephrectomy has proved to be safe and reproducible. We recommend practicing laparoscopic inferior vena cava suturing in the animal laboratory before performing it in humans.

Anesthesia for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: is nitrous oxide contraindicated?

PURPOSE: We performed this study to test the hypothesis that nitrous oxide produces clinically significant bowel distention during laparoscopic abdominal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic kidney donors were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 received N2O and oxygen inhalation through anesthesia, and group 2 received a mixture of air and oxygen. All patients received the same preanesthetic and anesthetic medications. The surgeon was blinded to the use of N2O. The surgeon was given the option to discontinue N2O use (if it was used) if he/she thought that the bowel distention was increasing surgical risk. Postoperative data were collected on bowel symptoms, pain and recovery. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were enrolled in the study, 12 of whom received N2O (group 1) and 16 who did not receive N2O (group 2). Mild to moderate bowel distention was reported by the surgeons in 6 patients (50%) in group 1 and 1 patient only in group 2 (6%, p=0.007). Severe bowel distention was encountered in 4 patients, 3 of whom received N2O (25% of group 1). Nausea and vomiting on postoperative day 1 was reported by 50% of patients in group 1 and 25% of group 2. There was no difference in the pain scores between the 2 groups. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: The use of N2O anesthetic causes bowel distention in 50% of abdominal laparoscopic donor nephrectomy operations. The distention was severe enough to interfere with the progress of surgery in 25% of cases and the use of N2O had to be discontinued.

Computerized tomographic angiography for renal donor evaluation leads to a higher exclusion rate.

PURPOSE: We compared the exclusion rate for potential living renal donors evaluated with computerized tomography angiography and radionuclide renal scintigraphy (renal scan) vs excretory urogram, renal scan and renal arteriography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2004 through February 2006, 603 consecutive patients were evaluated as potential living renal donors. From March 2004 through February 2005, 270 consecutive patients underwent evaluation with excretory urogram, renal scan and renal angiography (group 1). Of these patients 16 underwent computerized tomography to evaluate abnormalities detected on excretory urogram. From March 2005 through February 2006, 333 consecutive patients underwent evaluation with computerized tomography angiography and renal scan (group 2). The number of patients excluded for medical reasons and/or radiographic abnormalities was determined for the 2 groups. RESULTS: More than twice as many patients evaluated with computerized tomography were excluded. In group 1, 7% of patients (20 of 270) were excluded from donation due to radiographic findings vs 16% (53 of 333) in group 2 (p=0.0016). Of the patients 26% and 23% were excluded from renal donation for medical reasons in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.5059). CONCLUSIONS: Multidetector row computerized tomography angiography increases the detection of incidental radiographic abnormalities as well as the renal donor exclusion rate. The increased sensitivity of computerized tomography angiography has created a dilemma for those determining patient eligibility for kidney donation because the clinical significance of many of these findings is unclear. Additional studies should address the significance of these incidental findings so that patients are not needlessly excluded from kidney donation.

EUS-guided FNA for the diagnosis of recurrent bladder cancer through the ileal conduit: a novel approach.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing local recurrence of tumor after cystectomy and ileal conduit construction for urinary bladder cancer remains a diagnostic challenge. Also, distinction of benign stricture from recurrent tumor at the site of ureteral anastomosis in the ileal conduit is difficult. OBJECTIVE: A new method is described for performing EUS-guided FNA through the ileal conduit in patients suspected of having local tumor recurrence after complete cystectomy for bladder cancer. DESIGN: Case series, part of a large prospective study on EUS-guided FNA. PATIENTS: Three patients who had undergone total cystectomy and ileal conduit construction for bladder cancer underwent EUS-guided FNA through the ileal conduit for evaluation of suspected tumor recurrence at the site of anastomosis of the distal ureter and the ileal conduit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, and safety profile of EUS-guided FNA is assessed. OBSERVATIONS: EUS-guided FNA through the ileal conduit was technically feasible in all 3 patients. By EUS, the mass appeared as an irregularly shaped, hypoechoic lesion that was extrinsic to the lumen of the ileum. A diagnosis of recurrent transitional cell cancer was made in 2 patients and anastomotic stricture was found in 1 patient. Both patients with tumor recurrence received palliative chemotherapy, and the patient with an anastomotic stricture was managed by placement of a nephrostomy stent. No complications were encountered. LIMITATIONS: Small number of enrolled subjects; short duration of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided FNA through the ileal conduit is technically feasible, safe, and establishes diagnosis in patients suspected of tumor recurrence after complete cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Retrograde stenting for obstruction of the renal transplant ureter.

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience with retrograde stent placement and stent exchange for transplant ureteral obstruction. METHODS: A review of our renal transplant database was performed to identify all renal transplant patients who underwent attempted retrograde ureteral stenting for allograft ureteral obstruction or attempted allograft ureteral stent exchange between May 1992 and April 2004. A retrospective review was performed. RESULTS: Forty patients underwent 52 attempted retrograde ureteral stent placements, and 11 patients underwent a total of 27 attempted stent exchanges. In patients with ureteral obstruction, the most common clinical signs and symptoms were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, decreased urine output, edema, and an elevated serum creatinine. Of the 52 cases of allograft ureteral obstruction and attempted retrograde ureteral stent placement, 28 (53.8%) were managed successfully with retrograde ureteral stenting. Of the 27 attempted stent exchange procedures, a successful exchange was accomplished in 23 cases (85.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Cystoscopy with retrograde allograft stent placement is a reasonable first approach to the management of transplant ureteral obstruction and is successful in more than one half of cases.

Bladder cancer. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology.

Urothelial tumors represent a spectrum of diseases with a range of prognosis. After a diagnosis is established at any point within the urothelial tract, the patient remains at risk for developing a new lesion at a different or the same location and at a similar or more advanced stage. Continued monitoring for recurrence is an essential part of management, because most recurrences are superficial and can be managed endoscopically. Within each category of disease, more refined methods to determine prognosis and guide management, based on molecular staging, are under development with the goal of optimizing the individual patient's likelihood of cure and chance for organ preservation. For patients with more extensive disease, newer treatments typically involve combined-modality approaches, using recently developed surgical procedures, or three-dimensional treatment planning for more precise delivery of radiation therapy. Although these are not appropriate in all cases, they do offer the promise of an improved quality of life and prolonged survival. Finally, within the category of metastatic disease, a number of new agents have been identified that appear to be superior to those currently considered to be standard therapies. Experts believe, therefore, that the treatment of urothelial tumors will evolve rapidly over the next few years, with improved outcomes for patients at all stages of disease.

Radical prostatectomy in a community practice.

PURPOSE: We report the experience of a community based urologist with anatomical retropubic radical prostatectomy. We compared outcome data with that reported experience at several well-known academic institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1986 and December 2000, 382 consecutive patients underwent anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy performed by a single community based urologist. Charts were reviewed to determine the positive margin rate, urinary continence, potency, hospitalization and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence rate. RESULTS: The positive margin rate was 9% overall but in the last 5 years it was 7% compared with 7% to 40% in previous studies at academic institutions. The urinary continence rate was 90% overall and 93% in the last 5 years when excluding men older than 70 years old, compared with 85% to 94% in the academic urological literature. The potency rate after the bilateral nerve sparing technique was 79% compared with 54% to 86% in academic series. Average hospitalization in the last 5 years was 1.5 days. Overall PSA recurrence rate and the rate of PSA recurrence as a function of preoperative PSA, postoperative stage and grade were similar to those at academic institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical radical prostatectomy can be performed at nonacademic institutions with results comparable to those at academic institutions.

Follow-up functional radiographic studies are not mandatory for all patients after ureteroscopy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of follow-up radiographic studies after ureteroscopy by retrospective chart review. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 118 patients who underwent 134 ureteroscopic procedures from January 1998 to November 1999. RESULTS: Follow-up was obtained at our institution for 87 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 34 weeks (mean 7, SE +/- 0.75). Of 10 patients who underwent ureteroscopy for diagnostic purposes, none had postoperative pain or obstruction on follow-up radiographic studies. Of 77 patients who underwent ureteroscopy for calculi, 12 (16%) had postoperative obstruction. One third of patients with residual obstruction (4 of 12) complained of persistent pain versus 6% of patients without evidence of obstruction (4 of 65) (P = 0.02). Twelve patients had residual stone fragments on their follow-up radiographic studies; 5 (42%) of these patients complained of pain versus 3 (5%) of 65 patients who were stone free after surgery (P = 0.002). The use of pain to predict either obstruction or residual fragments had a negative and positive predictive value of 83% and 75%, respectively. Preoperative obstruction and postoperative pain were combined as one indicator for the presence of residual fragments and postoperative obstruction. Patients who had preoperative obstruction and presented with postoperative pain had a 67% chance of having residual fragments and a 50% chance of residual obstruction, and 96% of patients without preoperative obstruction and no postoperative pain had no persistent obstruction or residual fragments (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients who present for ureteroscopy with no obstruction and report no pain at follow-up, a plain radiograph may be sufficient. For patients who present with obstruction and report pain during follow-up, functional imaging studies are recommended.

Donor nephrectomy: A comparison of techniques and results of open, hand assisted and full laparoscopic nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LAP) has been gaining more popularity among kidney donors and transplant surgeons. There have been some concerns about the function of kidney grafts harvested by laparoscopic procedures. We report our results of LAP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective data were collected for our donor nephrectomy operations. A telephone survey was done by an independent investigator on the impact of surgery on quality of life. Graft function was also evaluated by serial serum creatinine and mercaptoacetyltriglycine renal nuclear scans. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included in the study; of whom 55 underwent open donor nephrectomy (OD), 28 underwent LAP and 17 underwent hand assisted donor nephrectomy (HAL). Mean patient age was 39 +/- 12 years and it was similar in all groups. Mean operative time was 306 +/- 40 minutes for LAP, 294 +/- 42 minutes for HAL and 163 +/- 24 minutes for OD (p = 0.001). Laparoscopic operative time was decreased to 180 +/- 56 minutes for LAP and 155 +/- 40 minutes for HAL in the last 10 patients. Mean estimated blood loss was 200 +/- 107 cc for LAP, 167 +/- 70 cc for HAL and 320 +/- 99 cc for OD (p = 0.0001). Mean warm ischemia time was 3 +/- 2 minutes for LAP, 2 +/- 2 minutes for HAL and 2 +/- 1 minutes for OD (p = 0.002). Postoperative hospitalization was 2 +/- 2 days for LAP and 3 +/- 2 days for OD (p = 0.01). LAP required 30% less narcotic medicine than OD postoperatively (p = 0.04). There were no major complications in LAP cases and no complete or partial graft loss was noted. Mean followup was 7 months. Recipient creatinine was not significantly different for kidneys harvested by LAP or OD (p = 0.5). Diuretic mercaptoacetyltriglycine renograms were performed in all recipients 1 to 3 days after surgery and mean effective renal plasma flow was similar for the 3 groups (p = 0.9). According to telephone survey results 85% of LAP, 71% of HAL and 43% of OD patients reported a return to normal physical activity within 4 weeks after surgery. Similarly 74% of LAP, 62% of HAL and 26% of OD patients were able to return to work within 4 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show no significant difference in graft function between LAP and OD. LAP and HAL were safe and complications were minimal. The main difference was that patients treated with LAP and HAL returned to normal physical activity and work significantly earlier than those who underwent OD.