title: Laparoscopic surgery for kidney orthotopic transplant in the pig model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic surgery has rapidly expanded in surgical practice with well-accepted benefits of minimal incision, less analgesia, better cosmetics, and quick recovery. The surgical technique for kidney transplantation has remained unchanged since the first successful kidney transplant in the 1950s. Over the past decade, there were only a few case reports of kidney transplantation by laparoscopic or robotic surgery. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a laparoscopic technique for kidney transplantation at the region of the native kidney.
  
  
  METHODS
  After initial development of the laparoscopic technique for kidney transplant in cadaveric pigs, 5 live pigs (Sus scrofa, weighing 45-50 kg) underwent laparoscopic kidney transplant under general anesthesia. First, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed, and then the kidney was perfused and preserved with cold Ross solution. The orthotopic auto-transplant was subsequently performed using the laparoscopic technique. The blood flow of the kidney graft was assessed using Doppler ultrasonography, and urine output was monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laparoscopic kidney transplant was successful in 4 live pigs. Immediate urine output was observed in 3 pigs. The blood flow in the kidney was adequate, as determined using Doppler ultrasonography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It has been shown that laparoscopic kidney orthotopic transplant is feasible and safe in the pig model. Immediate kidney graft function can be achieved. A further study will be considered to identify the potential surgical morbidity and mortality after recovery in a pig model before translating the technique to clinical human kidney transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Australia. bulang.he@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: Bulang
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Gabby C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Musk
authors.forename: Lingjun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mou
authors.forename: Gerald L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Waneck
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Delriviere
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000601:surgery; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000601:surgery; D013552:Swine; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler