Self-assessment of postoperative scars in living liver donors.

BACKGROUND

The application of less invasive techniques for liver surgery in patients undergoing living donor hepatectomy (LDH) has been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate physical status according to type of incision in donors.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-seven living liver donors underwent hepatectomy using three types of incisions: (i) Mercedes-Benz incision (M.B.), (ii) right subcostal incision with midline up to xiphoid incision (S.C.), and (iii) short upper midline incision (U.M.). A total of 100 donors answered the questionnaires, and 87 had sufficient data for the analyses. An original questionnaire designed to evaluate the physical status concerning postoperative scars. The questionnaire consisted of three major categories: appearance, sensation, and daily activities. The univariate analysis was performed using the chi-square test.

RESULTS

Numbness of the abdominal wall was reported more frequently by the donor with M.B.s and right subcostal incisions up to xiphoid incisions. In terms of appearance, sensation, and daily activities, LDH with a U.M. was found to have a good self-assessment compared with that performed using other types of incisions.

CONCLUSIONS

LDH with a U.M. is a preferable procedure in terms of physical status and safety.