Orchialgia After Living Donor Nephrectomy: An Underreported Entity

Abstract

Background. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) offers advantages to the donor. The reported incidence of testicular pain after LDN varies in the literature ranging from 3% to 55%. Methods. A survey was sent to 322 male LDN patients who donated from February 5, 2009, to February 5, 2019. The survey assessed if the donor had testicular pain or saw an additional medical professional after donation. Results. Of the 322 surveyed, 147 (46%) responses were received. Of those who had a left nephrectomy, 39% had testicular pain; 23.8% of those patients had testicular swelling in addition. Of those who had pain, laterality of kidney donated did not impact if the patient had pain, pain onset, pain level, or pain duration. Of those who donated their right kidney, 35% had testicular pain, and 16.7% of those patients reported testicular swelling in addition. Twenty-seven symptomatic patients sought additional medical care for the testicular symptoms postdonation. Seven (25%) had hydroceles, 2 (7%) had testicular cysts, 1 had a urinary tract infection, and 16 (59%) had reassurance or no additional procedures provided. Conclusions. Our results suggest that orchialgia is not as uncommon as previously thought and may be one of the most common minor complications experienced by male donors.

Solid Organ Transplant Litigation at One of Europe’s Largest University Hospitals

“…One of the original features of this study is that it brought together the legal proceedings brought by six donors against the institution. In both the laparoscopic and open approaches, the alleged complications were attributed to abdominal wall complications, including chronic testicular pain, which is often overlooked in men [ 24 , 25 ]. In this series, complications related to donations are often associated with non-medical expenses, which explains why some settlements have been awarded despite the absence of fault or negligence.…”