Live donor nephrectomy side: Is it implicated in urologic complications among lady donors during their post-donation pregnancies?

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Our center policy is to promote right nephrectomy for pre-menopausal live donor ladies. This is based on the traditional belief that urologic complications of post-donation pregnancies would be more frequent among lady donors with a solitary right (compared to left) kidney. Studies that support or dismiss our policy are lacking. Therefore, we conducted this study. Methods: 100 ladies who had post-donation pregnancy were included. They underwent an updated clinical, laboratory and ultrasound assessment. They were classified into two groups: right and left nephrectomy groups. Both groups were compared relative to pre- and post-donation data as well as urologic complications during or after post-donation pregnancies and current kidney function. Results: Right nephrectomy was carried-out for 60 donors (60%). Post-donation acute pyelonephritis was not reported in either group. Unexpectedly, lower urinary tract infection during post-donation pregnancy occurred among 16.7% of ladies of the right nephrectomy group compared to 12.5% in the left nephrectomy group (p: non-significant). Conclusion: Despite that the endeavor to retrieve the right rather than the left kidney among lady donors could give them the benefit of doubt in regard to possible urological complications during their subsequent pregnancies, this policy is likely an overdoing practice. Larger-scale studies are needed.