Effect of Pneumoperitoneum on Renal Resistive Index and Renal Function in Patients Who Have Undergone Laparoscopic Living Donor Nephrectomy: A Pilot Study

Introduction. The use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LLDN) was assumed to cause less renal damage compared to high-pressure pneumoperitoneum. This study aims to evaluate the effect of low vs high-pressure pneumoperitoneum during LLDN on renal function and renal resistive index (RRI), which has never been done before. Materials and Methods. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, low-pressure (8-10 mmHg) and high-pressure pneumoperitoneum (12-14 mmHg). The RRI, serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were measured during the perioperative period. Results. A total of 45 samples were analyzed in this study: 17 subjects in the low-pressure pneumoperitoneum group and 28 subjects in the high-pressure group. RRI levels remained within the normal range (< .80) with no significant difference observed between the 2 groups (P > .05) before surgery, intraoperatively, or post-surgery. The preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate were similar in both groups. Conclusions. The use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum had no benefit compared to high-pressure pneumoperitoneum in preserving RRI and function in LLDN.