Background: Despite its advantages, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is associated with prolonged operation time, which could potentially increase oxidative stress in the graft. We performed the first experimental, randomized, controlled study with blind assessment of outcome to address this possibility.
Methods: Wistar-Albino rats were randomized into three groups. The animals in the control group were subjected to a sham operation under anesthesia; the animals in the other two groups were subjected to CO(2) pneumoperitoneum (Pp) for 120 and 240 min, respectively. The kidneys were removed at the end of each experiment. The concentrations of protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl (SH) groups and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in renal tissue samples as markers of oxidative stress. Renal tissue samples were also evaluated histopathologically using light microscopy.
Results: Exposure to 120 min of Pp significantly increased the finding of oxidative stress in renal tissue samples, with an increase in protein carbonyl content and a decrease in protein sulfhydryls and tissue (SOD) activities. When exposure to Pp was prolonged from 120 min to 240 min, Pp associated oxidative stress was found to be increased. These changes occurred in the absence of light microscopical evidence of overt tissue damage.
Conclusions: In an experimental model resembling laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, we found that exposure of pneumoperitoneum prolonged from 120 min to 240 min acts as an additive factor with respect to causing increased oxidative stress in renal tissue. Because these effects imply subtle tissue injury that may contribute to the chronic demise of renal grafts obtained laparoscopically, avoiding the use of Pp if possible and keeping operation time less than 120 min during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy appear to be advisable.