Enhanced Recovery After Living Donor Nephrectomy: Reduced Opioid Use and Shorter Hospitalization in a…

Cohort studyThe American surgeon· Jul 2026

Enhanced Recovery After Living Donor Nephrectomy: Reduced Opioid Use and Shorter Hospitalization in a Contemporary Cohort.

Vaishnavi Ravikanti, Rachel Wolansky, Anagha Brahmajosyula … Chloe Q Wang

Transplant SurgeryCohort studyClinical practice

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol linked to far lower opioid dose at discharge after kidney donation.

Enhanced Recovery After Living Donor Nephrectomy: Reduced Opioid Use and Shorter Hospitalization in a Contemporary Cohort.

Vaishnavi Ravikanti … Chloe Q Wang

The American surgeon · Jul 2026

Background

This study evaluates the impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocols on post-surgical outcomes following living donor nephrectomy (living donor nephrectomy).

Methods

MethodsA retrospective single center cohort study was conducted, analyzing patients who underwent living donor nephrectomy between Jan 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 at a high-volume transplant center.

n = 61 patients

Results

less than a tenth the opioid dose sent home with patients

12MME

ERAS

112.5MME

Pre-ERAS

More results

The study compared outcomes between patients who followed Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols and those who did not.

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups.

More results

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery group had a lower rate of any complications (21.3% vs 30.2%, P = .36), less GI-related complications (8.1% vs 26.4%, P = .03), but similar postoperative infection (3.3% vs 3.8%, P = 1) and postoperative bleeding (1.6% vs 0%, P = 1) rates.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

The study suggests that Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols significantly improve post-surgical outcomes following living donor nephrectomy, including reduced post-op PCA use, shorter hospital LOS, lower opioid use on discharge, and fewer complications.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These findings support the implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols in living donor nephrectomy to enhance patient recovery and outcomes.

Enhanced Recovery After Living Donor Nephrectomy: Reduced Opioid Use and Shorter Hospitalization in a Contemporary Cohort.

Enhanced Recovery After Living Donor Nephrectomy: Reduced Opioid Use and Shorter Hospitalization in a Contemporary Cohort.

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