title: Robotic renal transplantation: first European case.
abstract: A kidney from a 56-year-old mother was transplanted to her 37-year-old daughter laparoscopically using the daVinci HDSi surgical system. The kidney was introduced into the abdomen through a 7-cm suprapubic incision used also for the uretero-vescical anastomosis. Vascular anastomoses were carried out through a total of three additional ports. Surgery lasted 154 min, including 51 min of warm ischemia of the graft. Urine production started immediately after graft reperfusion. Renal function remains optimal at the longest follow-up of 3 months. The technique employed in this case is discussed in comparison with the only other two contemporary experiences, both from the USA. Furthermore, possible advantages and disadvantages of robotics in kidney transplantation are discussed extensively. We conclude that the daVinci surgical system allows the performance of kidney transplantation under optimal operative conditions. Further experience is needed, but it is likely that solid organ transplantation will not remain immune to robotics.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Chirurgia Generale e Trapianti nell'Uremico e nel Diabetico, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy. u.boggi@med.unipi.it
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Boggi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vistoli
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Signori
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Imporzano
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amorese
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Consani
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guarracino
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Melfi
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mussi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mosca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000601:surgery; D012371:Robotics; D055815:Young Adult