Data extraction and analysis
The included studies were reviewed by two independent reviewers (Y.M. and I.K.), and relevant data were extracted including the number of performed human UTx cases, surgical approach of living-donor surgery (open approach, laparoscopic approach, or robot-assisted approach), surgical time, blood loss during donor surgery, the types and numbers of removed veins (UV, UOV, or OV), operative complications, discharge timing, and live birth after UTx.
The data were classified into open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted approaches for analysis.
The data were also classified and analysed according to whether the UV was removed within each approach.