Optimizing a living kidney donation program: transition to hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy and introduction of a passive polarizing three-dimensional display system

摘要

Optimizing a living kidney donation program is important to guarantee a high grade of acceptance among potential donors. Hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (HARP) is an alternative to the open anterior approach (AA) technique. Problems associated to the learning curve could hinder a transition. 3D display technique seems to ease minimally invasive surgery. Aim of this study was to evaluate the learning curve during the transition from AA to HARP and the influence of the 3D display system on the established technique.