Stretching the limits: Finding the standard for achieving single graft artery lumen after left laparoscopic donor nephrectomy – A retrospective cohort study

Context: Optimum main renal artery (RA) length before first branching needed to achieve single lumen during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is not known. Aims: The aim of the study is to identify optimal minimum length of RA before first branching which can be safely harvested as a single lumen in LDN. Settings and Design: This is a single institutional, retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Records of consecutive left LDNs performed at our institute from January 2016 to June 2019 were reviewed. RA length was measured from preoperative computed tomography angiogram. We clipped RA using two Hem-o-lok® and one titanium clip while maintaining constant mild upward traction. Primary outcome was to identify lowest RA length at which chances of achieving a single lumen were maximum. Secondary outcomes included minimum RA length below which single lumen could not be achieved and incidence of intraoperative vascular complications. Statistical Analyses: Receiver operator characteristic curve was plotted according to donor RA length. Likelihood ratio positive (LR+) was used to identify optimum length of RA above which chances of achieving single lumen were maximum. Results: Four hundred and eighty-eight donors with single RA underwent left LDN during study period. LR +of achieving single lumen after clipping was maximum at 10mm cutoff. Single lumen could not be achieved below 6–7 mm cutoff. There were no vascular complications or re-explorations. Conclusions: Main left RA length ≥10 mm before first branching is most likely to yield single lumen for implantation with our technique.