Hand port-site infection after hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for living-donor kidney transplantation: a retrospective cohort study

Background Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) is widely performed to minimize burden on living kidney donors. However, hand port-site infections after HALDN may occur. This study aimed to assess the impact of donor characteristics including preoperative comorbidities and operative factors on hand port-site infection after HALDN. Methods In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, 1,260 consecutive HALDNs for living-donor kidney transplantation performed between January 2008 and December 2021 were evaluated. All living donors met the living kidney donor guidelines in Japan. Hand port-site infections were identified in 88 HALDN cases (7.0%). To investigate risk factors for hand port-site infection, donor characteristics including preoperative comorbidities such as hypertension, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, obesity, and operative factors such as operative duration, blood loss, preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, and prophylactic subcutaneous suction drain placement at the hand port-site were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results In the multivariate analysis, significant differences were identified regarding sex (P = 0.021; odds ratio [OR], 1.971; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.108–3.507), preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis (P < 0.001; OR, 0.037; 95% CI [0.011–0.127]), and prophylactic subcutaneous suction drain placement at the hand port-site (P = 0.041; OR, 2.005; 95% CI [1.029–3.907]). However, a significant difference was not identified regarding glucose intolerance (P = 0.572; OR, 1.148; 95% CI [0.711–1.856]). Preoperative comorbidities may not cause hand port-site infections within the donors who meet the living kidney donor guidelines. Preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial in preventing hand port-site infection, whereas prophylactic subcutaneous suction drain placement may increase the risk of hand port-site infection.