Video

In a replay of a live internet webcast first seen on Monday, October 27, 2003, MeritCare presents a live, surgical webcast of a hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (i.e. minimally invasive removal of a kidney for transplant.) The surgery took place at MeritCare Health System, Fargo, N.D The surgery was performed by a MeritCare surgical team consisting of Bhargav Mistry, M.D., transplant surgeon, and Timothy Monson, M.D., general and laparoscopic surgeon. Dr. Mistry and Dr. Monson were available to field questions from the public and healthcare professionals from around the world submitted via e-mail during the live webcast. The surgical procedure: The hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is a less invasive technique for removing a kidney from a living donor for transplantation. The surgery involves the insertion of a laparoscope (surgical telescope) through three to five small incisions in the donor’s abdomen. Using precision instruments that are inserted into the small openings, the surgeon prepares the donor’s kidney for removal while simultaneously observing a magnified image on a TV monitor. When the kidney is ready for removal, the transplant surgeon gently removes the kidney through a small opening. The kidney is then prepared for transplantation into the recipient. .