Psychosocial aspects of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: Donor impressions

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic donation has become the most common technique for living donor kidney transplantation. Despite claims of greater patient acceptance, significant increases in living donation, relative to the waiting list, have not been realized. Defining laparoscopic donors' long-term psychosocial impressions may allow for strategies to increase rates of living donation. METHODS: The study method was a retrospective telephone survey inquiring into pre-donation perceptions, hospital experiences, and post-donation psychosocial issues. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients who had undergone laparoscopic donation with at least a 1-year follow-up were interviewed. Twenty-one percent first heard about this procedure from sources other than healthcare workers or their recipients. Overall, 99% believed they were adequately informed, and 35% reported pre-operative testing was difficult. Seventy-four percent of patients reported a positive impression of the hospital stay, although 52% reported more post-operative pain then expected. Sixty-one percent of patients returned to work within a month. Nine percent reported financial burden, and 6% reported difficulties with insurance. Eighty-four percent believed the recipient had a good outcome. Ninety-four percent would donate again if possible. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that long-term donor perceptions of laparoscopic nephrectomy remain favorable. Most donors are knowledgeable about this procedure, but perceptions may be erratic because of varied sources. Early contact with the transplant team is essential in providing an educational and streamlined experience to the laparoscopic donor in renal transplant.