Review of 333 living donor nephrectomies.

We reviewed the operative complications in 333 living related donor nephrectomies done at our institution over the past 12 years. The overall complication rate was 17.1%; only three patients (0.9%) had major complications, and none died. The major complications were a delayed splenectomy because of bleeding, an adrenalectomy, and acute renal failure in one patient in the immediate postoperative period. We concluded that donor nephrectomy done through a flank incision results in minimal morbidity.